Chapter Text
S3E11 — The Western Air Temple
Here’s the thing — Sokka really didn’t have another choice. As much as that sounds like an excuse, it was true, and even Zuko would say the same. After all, if Sokka hadn’t given Zuko a mate bite, team Avatar would have been in danger. Grave danger.
It all started when Zuko came to the western air temple, in search of the group and begging to join them and train Aang. Immediately, Sokka was painfully aware of three things. One, Zuko had presented as an omega, the scent was clear. Two, he was dangerously near heat. And three, he was not to be trusted. Of course, Sokka was the only one to notice the first two observations. After all, everyone else was too young to have presented yet. But Sokka had just weeks ago. He hadn’t had a rut — not yet — but upon presenting as an alpha, he did read up on secondary genders to prepare himself.
Looking on at Zuko, Sokka couldn’t help the clenching in his chest. The banished prince was sweating heavily, which could be mistaken as fatigue from his trek. But Sokka knew better. His skin was flushed, pupils blown wide with just a small ring of gold around them. Sokka’s inner alpha near begged him to let Zuko stay, and against his better judgment, he was listening. Because at the end of the day, one of two things could happen. Zuko could either stay under their protection during his heat, or he could be turned away and go into heat by himself, completely unprotected and defenseless.
“I think,” Sokka started, effectively cutting off Katara as she was vehemently disagreeing to Zuko’s proposition, “we should let him stay. Just…at least for a week. Or so.”
All eyes turned to him, though it was Zuko’s that Sokka was focused on. The omega’s lips parted just slightly, breath hitching as he grew pale.
“Why would you say that, Sokka?!” Katara near yelled at Sokka, though he still didn’t spare her even a glance. Instead, he stared at Zuko as he seemed to be slipping into a sort of pre-heat daze.
“Zuko,” Sokka said, snapping Zuko from his trance, “would you like to explain, or should I?”
Zuko blinked a few times before scowling at Sokka. He wrapped his arms tightly around his abdomen, a move that could have been mistaken for crossing his arms if one didn’t know better. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he muttered, though his voice shook as he did.
Sokka finally broke eye contact with Zuko, turning to look at his friends and sister around him. Finally, his gaze landed back on the omega, eyes intentionally softening as he released some comforting pheromones in an attempt to soften the blow.
“Zuko is in pre-heat. If I had to guess, he’ll start his cycle tonight or tomorrow,” Sokka explained in a hushed voice, just loud enough for everyone there to hear.
Zuko flinched back at the statement, though made no move to deny it, instead looking down at the ground. He blinked a few times before swaying dangerously, spurring Sokka to surge forward and catch him under the arms just before crumpling to the ground. Sokka gently lowered him to the stony floor of the temple, letting him sit on his own as he leaned his weight back against his hands. A moment later, the alpha was up again, looking down at Zuko just as the others were.
“Is this true, Zuko?” Aang asked, blinking his innocent eyes owlishly.
“Sokka’s not lying,” Toph interjected when Zuko didn’t answer for a long stretch of time. “And he’s an alpha, so he’d be able to tell.”
“So, what, we’re supposed to just trust him?” Katara scowled as she spoke. “I’m sure he can handle his heat. It can’t be that bad, otherwise he wouldn’t have risked coming here so close to one.”
At Katara’s words, Sokka felt himself prickle. He forced his frustration down, reminding himself that Katara didn’t know better. He needed to explain just how much danger Zuko was in.
“Omegas in heat send out strong, unmistakeable pheromones,” Sokka started. “Any alpha within a mile radius would be able to smell him. Probably a wider range, if this is his first heat like I’m guessing it is. Once the full force of heat sets in, an omega is completely and totally unable to think for themselves. Alpha commands are extremely potent, and would keep the omega from fighting back. Many alphas…” Sokka swallowed hard before continuing, “…they brag about taking an omega’s virginity and leaving them for dead. I’ve overheard it all over, especially since I presented and they think I’ll agree. I don’t even want to think what an enemy would do to a banished fire nation prince.”
When Sokka was done, he was still looking on at Zuko, who was now flushed bright red and staring down at the ground. The omega’s breaths were shuddering, and he had started shaking hard. Sokka could smell the distress wafting off of him, and if he honed in on his enhanced hearing, he could hear Zuko whining softly with each breath.
“Then why are you out here?” Sokka was surprised that it was Aang who spoke. At the question, all eyes turned back to Zuko, who managed a tentative look up at the Avatar.
“The— the day of the black sun, I went against my father—“ Zuko began to explain.
“No,” Aang interjected. “I mean why didn’t you wait out your heat before? You had to have known it was coming, so why risk traveling so close to your cycle?”
“I needed to get out of there before it hit,” Zuko relented, hardly audible. “I mean…I knew I needed to help you. Of course. But I had to leave when I did because…there were hungry alphas everywhere. And Sokka’s right and even my father wouldn’t dare protect me. Oh, Agni, I heard him offer like three guards some time with me when it started.”
Sokka felt disgust fill his body, fists clenched hard at his sides. He knew some alphas were terrible, but the idea that Zuko’s own father would go so far was downright sickening. Looking at his cohorts, Sokka could see the horror and shock in their faces, and he could smell the deep sene of shame coming from Zuko.
“You’re staying here, that’s settled,” Sokka was the first to speak again. His gaze stayed on his friends and sister, looking for any disagreement but finding none. As he looked back to Zuko, he found he was crying silently now, eyes downcast once more.
“Shit, I hate these hormones,” Zuko muttered, wiping away tears with the heel of one of his hands. “But, uh, thanks.”
“I’ll help you to your room,” Sokka suggested, causing Zuko to tense and look worriedly up at him.
“No, no please I—“ Zuko cut himself off, looking around the group for some sort of support.
“What’s the matter?” Sokka asked, just a hint offended that Zuko was so adverse to his help. He’d just stood up for the omega, after all.
Zuko slumped, crying harder as his breathing grew unsteady. “You’re an alpha.”
“Yes,” Sokka agreed, still not understanding.
“Just…” Zuko looked back to Sokka, eyes so terrified it sent a shiver down the alpha’s spine. “Please be careful with me. It’s my first time.”
Sokka stiffened, as did everyone around him. Zuko, however, appeared to not notice. He didn’t bother to wipe away his tears now as they collected under the chin and dripped down from there. With careful consideration, Sokka thought of what to do next. He needed the others to leave, as they weren’t read up on how to interact with a scared omega. With a sense of finality, he decided he needed to earn Zuko’s trust, even if he was just a temporary guest.
“I’m fine taking him back to an empty room,” Sokka turned his attention temporarily to the rest of his group. “Go let the others know what’s going on. Gather some fresh clothes, water, food, and any extra blankets or pillows.”
Toph, Aang, and Katara all nodded quickly before going their separate ways, doing as Sokka had instructed. That left the alpha with Zuko, who still hadn’t stopped crying and was hiccuping now as a result.
“Hey, you’re ok,” Sokka knelt down in front of him. “I’m not going to do anything to or with you. Alright?”
Zuko startled back, clearly offended. “Am I not good enough for you?” he bit the words out.
“What?” Sokka gasped the word out. “No! It’s not that. It’s just that I’m not that type of alpha, ok? I don’t prey on omegas when they aren’t in their right mind. That would be a pretty shitty thing to do, yeah?”
The omega visibly relaxed, nodding his head as he did. He finally stopped crying, sniffling as he wiped the tears from his face once more. “Why are you being so nice to me?”
Sokka pursed his lips as he thought of how to answer that. “It’s not about being nice, it’s about morals. I wouldn’t want anyone to suffer the kind of fate you’d have to out there on your own. We’ll keep you safe here, until your heat passes and we can all have a real discussion.”
There must have been something in the soothing cadence of Sokka’s voice, or the pheromones he was pushing out in an attempt to calm the other, because Zuko nodded and blinked dazedly. His gaze was focused somewhere past Sokka, and after a few more moments, he began to sway dangerously. Sokka caught him just as he was about to collapse on his side, bringing him closer and lowering him slowly to the ground.
“Thanks,” Zuko muttered, his eyes now closed more than they were open, his blinks lasting longer each time. “M’sorry, can’t make it to the room.”
Sokka sighed, closing his eyes tight as he sought to find his focus. Zuko was, honestly, very distracting like this. Sokka had been trying hard not to pay too much attention to what he smelled like, but now with Zuko on his side and his neck bared up to the air, it was impossible to escape. Cinnamon and spice, like cardamom and cloves, all tied together with the scent of a steady bonfire. It was…nice. Sokka shook himself from his haze, picking Zuko up under the his shoulders and knees before standing himself. He breathed through his mouth, trying to keep the scent from his nose. It only sort of worked, which would have to do for now.
Just as Sokka expected, Zuko nuzzled into him, clearly happy to be in close proximity to an alpha. As he walked them back to a secluded room, the alpha was careful to keep his thoughts trained on anything but Zuko. Anything but Zuko’s breath on his neck. Anything but that scent, growing more wanting and sweet with each step. And then there was the way Zuko looked, and Sokka couldn’t pull his gaze away. His cheeks were a rosy color, as was his nose and the tips of his ears. His long dark lashes fluttered, as though he was trying but failing to stay aware. Sokka sighed. This was not how he’d expected that day to go.
After all, the day of the solar eclipse had resulted in so much loss. They’d barely managed to make it to the western air temple, having to walk the last stretch of the way as Oppa had grown too tired to carry them all. Sokka was exhausted, making it harder yet to avoid the small whimpers of the omega in his arms. Finally, they made it to the room farthest off from the main areas, complete with a plushier mattress. If he had to guess, it was specifically designed for omegas near or in heat.
“I’m going to set you down now,” Sokka murmured into Zuko’s ear, feeling him breathe deeply at the closeness.
Gently, Sokka did as he said he would, and when Zuko touched down on the cool sheets of the bed, he cried out. Hands extended upwards, towards Sokka, beckoning him down. The alpha wordlessly shook his head no, signifying that he had to get away, had to put distance between them. Zuko didn’t appear understand, pulling his arms back against himself and glaring up at him.
“You’re going to just leave? Just leave me here?” Zuko asked, thoroughly surprising Sokka.
“Uh…” Sokka conjured up all his courage before starting again. “What do you want me to do?”
Zuko scowled, hissing out a short breath. “It’s not what I want. It’s about you. Aren’t you going to make sure I don’t escape? Make sure I stay here and don’t— don’t— ugh.” At the last part, Zuko groaned and turned over on his side, arms wrapped firmly around his stomach.
“I don’t think you’re going anywhere for a little while,” Sokka decided, staring pitifully on at Zuko.
His inner alpha yearned to do more, to help in the ways only he could. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to be done without completely violating Zuko’s autonomy. He could knot him, or mark him, the thought of both causing Sokka to heat up. Those options would make it easier to bear, and Zuko may even become coherent enough to ignore the rest of his cycle. But no, those weren’t any real options. Zuko deserved more respect than to be knotted and claimed during his first heat, without a proper pack and clearly confused and not in his right mind.
“Help me?” Zuko asked after a few long moments. When Sokka stared back in shock, Zuko continued, words falling out in quick succession. “I just mean, it hurts. Really hurts. And when you’re closer it hurts a little less and— and— this is ridiculous.”
“Zuko—“ Sokka tried to interject.
“No, I shouldn’t even be asking you!” Zuko yelled, though the sound didn’t carry far on account of the omega’s heat weakened voice. “I hardly know you. And I want you here with me more than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
Sokka’s gaze softened further, though he didn’t move closer. He still didn’t trust himself to be so close again. “It’ll wear off in a few days,” Sokka explained. “I’ll send someone in with supplies. Then, we’ll leave you alone. Alright?”
Sobs suddenly began wracking Zuko’s body as he gasped for air. He buried his face into the mattress, screaming long and hard enough that it must have hurt his throat. Sokka took the opportunity to leave, closing the door behind him and pressing his back to it. He couldn’t bring himself to leave the vicinity, especially when Zuko started howling, his cries making it through the thick stone door. Tears welled in Sokka’s eyes, and he wiped them away before they could fall. Slowly, he lowered himself to the ground, sitting cross legged in front of the entrance to Zuko’s room. If he couldn’t be in there helping, then he’d be out there protecting. The alpha within him liked this decision.
By the time Toph came by carrying all the supplies by herself, stacked high and precarious, Sokka had sunk into a sort of hormone induced state. One that caused him to growl at the earth bender as she approached.
“Geez, calm down Sokka,” Toph muttered, stopping just before him. Despite the fact that the blankets and pillows were stacked high enough to cover her eyes, she could still see clearly through her feet. “Do you want to bring these in, or…?”
“You should,” Sokka said breathlessly.
“Got it. Step aside.”
Sokka got up, using the momentum to keep going and stumbling down the hallway. He needed fresh air. He needed to clear his head. Finally, he made it out into the open air, out of the confines of the stone walls. He breathed deeply, dispelling Zuko’s scent from his lungs. The effect is immediate, his shoulders relaxing and eyes focusing.
“Hey, Sokka!” Aang bounded over to him, bubbly as ever. “How is Zuko?”
“He’s…” Sokka pondered his next words carefully. Finally, he spoke again. “He’ll be alright.”
Aang, not noticing the vague wording, nodded. “Good. I didn’t know omegas could be in so much danger. I just thought heat was, like, a period or something. Just deal with it and go on your day until it goes away.”
Sokka smiled at the young avatar. How little he knew. “Aang, it’s nothing like a period. When an omega goes into heat, they’re rarely able to regulate themselves. To go about their day simply isn’t an option.”
“Hmm…” Aang seemed to think for a while. “I guess because the omegas were separated from the rest of us, I never knew all that. Thanks for telling me.”
“Of course,” Sokka smiled as he spoke. He would’ve ruffled Aang’s hair if he had any. Instead, he settled for bumping his shoulder against his. Aang laughed at that, clearly amused as he turned and walked away, leaving Sokka alone.
It was the next morning that things got more complicated. Sokka hadn’t been able to sleep much, his mind still on the suffering omega close enough to find and help. He was roused from his sleepless tossing and turning by the sound of an explosion. He knew that explosive sound. They’d been running from it for so long, there was no mistaking it now.
“Sokka, get Zuko!” Toph yelled once the alpha had made it out of his room.
“What?” Sokka asked, unsure if he’d heard her right.
“You’re the only one who can carry him! You need to make sure he gets somewhere safe,” Toph explained hastily before turning back to combustion man, as they had started referring to him. Sokka knew she was right; the assassin was an alpha, and that meant danger for Zuko.
Without any room to argue, Sokka sighed and turned on his heel. He sprinted to Zuko’s hidden away room, and the closer he got to it, the more the scent of omega in distress and heat grew heavier. He came to a sudden halt just before the door, hesitating as he contemplated what to do next. Before he could decide how to proceed, another blast rumbled the entire structure, and Sokka almost fell over. He steadied himself against the door, which pushed open with ease. Zuko must not have locked it, which felt strange to Sokka, though he pushed the thought aside.
“Zuko?” Sokka asked into the darkened room, the curtains drawn tightly over the windows.
“Sokka?” Zuko rasped back, sounding like death itself.
Slowly, and with a hand covering his nose and mouth, Sokka lurked forward. His hand did little to help, though, as the sweet cinnamon spice was drowned out by fire, and not the easy, contained kind. Zuko smelled like a raging wild fire, out of control and volatile. How long had he been like this? Sokka suddenly felt terrible for leaving in the first place. He would have to worry about that later, though, as another explosion shook Sokka from his thoughts.
“We need to get you somewhere safe,” Sokka said, crouching before the mattress and looking on at the omega with gentle eyes.
“What’s going on?” Zuko asked, and despite his heat, he sounded more like himself than he had the night before. It was most likely the adrenaline and fear from the explosions.
“There’s been this guy following us around, he can shoot explosions out with his mind. We call him combustion man—“ Sokka explained.
“That’s not his name,” Zuko ground out as he hugged his midsection, interrupting Sokka as he did. The alpha stared in shock at him, hand dropping from his face as anger overtook his senses. “Sorry. Did it when I thought— thought when father found out Aang wasn’t dead…he’d have killed me.“
Sokka collected himself, because they really didn’t have time to discuss further. He’d have to come to terms with this new information later, when he could think clearly. Right then, his mind was hazy due to the mix of adrenaline and the scent of Zuko’s pheromones. Still, he forced himself to focus.
“We have to go. He’s an alpha and he probably smells you,” Sokka spoke quickly.
“He’s an alpha?” Zuko asked, hooded eyes looking up to Sokka now and blinking slowly. He must’ve presented after hiring the assassin.
“Yes,” Sokka whispered, staring right back at Zuko. “That’s why we need to go.”
Zuko nodded firmly, throwing his legs over the side of the bed and leaning back on shaking arms. He was still wearing all his clothes, despite them obviously being drenched in both sweat and slick. Where had he learned how to take care of himself during a heat? Because whoever taught him hadn’t done a very good job. Zuko tried standing, and when he tipped forward, Sokka rushed to stand and catch him.
“I’m never going to make it anywhere,” Zuko whimpered. “You have to leave me. When he finds me, you— you all will have time to get away. He’ll be busy for a bit at least.”
Sokka tensed at Zuko’s words, glaring down at Zuko as he stared back up at him. “I’m not leaving you,” Sokka insisted. “I can carry you, and—“
“If you carry me—“ Zuko started before halting and clenching all his muscles.
“Are you alright?” Sokka asked, worry taking over, though Zuko’s gaze didn’t even stutter.
“Just my heat. Like I was saying,” Zuko moved on quickly, “if you carry me, you won’t be fast enough to get away. And he’ll find us, kill you, and the same would happen to me anyway. So just leave, alright?”
“There has to be another way,” Sokka begged. He couldn’t just leave Zuko to such a terrible fate. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself.
After a few long moments, another explosion spurred Zuko to speak again. “There is. But it’s not anything you would ever do. So why even bother.”
“Tell me,” Sokka demanded, arms tightening under Zuko’s arms and elbows as he still supported him.
“I can’t—“ Zuko whined.
“Then I’m not leaving you here alone,” Sokka said, tone turning stern.
“Fine,” Zuko spat, adjusting himself in Sokka’s arms and looking pointedly away. “You could bite me.”
Sokka’s mind went blank, his entire body stilling. He had to remind himself to breathe again, and as he did, he pulled his thoughts together. Zuko was right, of course. It would be easy enough, just mark the omega as Sokka’s own and use the relief to get away. Or fight, even. Zuko would surely be able to fight after a mate bite, from what Sokka had heard and read. But would it be worth it?
A mate bond between an alpha and an omega was permanent, as far as Sokka was aware. He’d heard of ways to sever it, though they all sounded extremely inhumane to him, so he didn’t count them as viable options. That being said, Zuko must have known this and still was offering it as a solution. So that left Sokka with two choices — bite Zuko, or let him be raped and killed. The decision was instantaneous once he thought of it that way.
Sokka turned his gaze down to Zuko’s neck, right where his exposed scent glands were. They were raised just slightly, and probably extremely sensitive due to his heat. Slowly, carefully, Sokka started to move Zuko to sit on the bed, and the omega sent him a questioning look.
“I’ll do it,” Sokka said, breaths feather light in anticipation.
“But—“ Zuko tried to dissuade him.
“No, stop,” Sokka said firmly, holding up a hand as he did. “You’re right, this is the only way. I know you must be aware of what this means for us, for the rest of our lives.”
Zuko nodded gently, eyes softening into something like pity. “And you’re alright with that?”
“As long as it means helping someone escape a horrible fate, then yes,” Sokka was quick to explain away Zuko’s hesitancy.
After a few seconds, Zuko nodded once. “Alright. Ok. I…I’m ready.”
And Zuko was ready a split second later, arms still supporting him from behind his back as he bared his right scent gland to Sokka. The alpha kneeled before him, looking directly into Zuko’s scared, distressed eyes. Sokka must have looked the same, as Zuko, of all people, sent him a small smile and was obviously trying (and failing) to push out calming pheromones. Slowly, Sokka leaned forward, a hand coming up and lightly stroking the scent gland exposed. As he did, Zuko trembled, not stopping even after Sokka had. They were interrupted again by a third explosion, and Sokka was pulled from his trance.
Taking his hand back and placing both of them now on Zuko’s waist to hold him still, Sokka leaned further in until his breath was ghosting over the sensitive spot. Zuko was shaking harder, and Sokka forced down a possessive growl. He did, however, send out some comforting pheromones of his own, and Zuko calmed some. Sensing this as his chance, Sokka opened his mouth wide and sank his teeth into Zuko’s neck.
Immediately, Sokka felt it — the bond forming. Zuko relaxed into Sokka’s grasp, his arms coming up and around his shoulders as he continued to bite. A sense of calm enveloped the two, both pulling closer to one another as the bite held on. Soon enough, Sokka was able to feel all Zuko felt, sene everything he sensed. He knew that the sheer intensity of the heat was gone, and would stay gone so long as Sokka was nearby. Satisfied with himself, the alpha pulled his teeth from Zuko’s neck, licking lightly at the blood that pooled the. The taste was metallic, unlike anything he’d ever tasted as it was marred with Zuko’s sweet scent.
Eventually, Sokka pulled fully back, having helped the bleeding stop and wiping his mouth free from blood. Zuko looked in a daze, unblinking eyes focused on the ground as his even breaths continued.
“Zuko?” Sokka asked after a few more precious seconds. They really needed to get going. “Are you ok to come with me? Or to fight?”
Zuko’s eyes snapped back to Sokka’s, his head still tilted as he spoke. “I’m ready.”
And so Sokka and Zuko joined the battle against combustion man. Nobody bothered to comment in the moment, taking the much needed help and not asking questions. When the assassin was finally finished, the group, sans Sokka and Zuko, whooped and hollered. The alpha turned to the omega — his omega, now — just as the other turned to him. They shared a long look before Zuko slapped a hand over the fresh mark and stormed away.
“Hey, wait up!” Sokka called out, running after Zuko as he did. Because Zuko wasn’t running, and Sokka was, the alpha caught up quickly, grabbing the omega’s shoulder and pulling so they were facing one another. “I’m sorry, ok?”
Zuko wouldn’t look him in the eye. He shrugged his hand off his shoulder. “Whatever.”
“It was your idea,” Sokka reasoned, voice cracking in unwanted desperation. That wasn’t what Zuko wanted to hear, though, that much was clear by the ashamed feeling that rushed through Sokka. He flinched back.
“Look,” Zuko snapped, finally locking eyes with an unsteady Sokka. “I only did it so we’d make it out alive. We can forget about it now. Or try to, or something.”
“That’s not how it—“ Sokka started.
“I’m going to my nest, Sokka,” Zuko spat, turning and walking in long strides back to his room.
How Sokka wanted to follow, to make it all better. But he knew he shouldn’t. Because if one small misstep from him had caused Zuko so much shame, he didn’t want to chance doing it again. So instead, he turned back and made his way to his group, everyone there now, including the other kids from the invasion.
“Hey, Sokka, I thought you said omegas can’t do that in their heat?” Katara asked in a giggling voice, still clearly elated from the win. When she noticed Sokka’s obvious stoicism, she sobered up a bit, brows knit together in concern. “What happened?”
“They…they can’t to that in heat,” Sokka took a deep breath before continuing, “unless someone bites them.”
As he said this, all eyes turned to him, forgetting the impromptu celebration. Katara, clearly the angriest of the bunch, lunged towards Sokka and landed just in front of him, getting in his face.
“What? How could you do that! Did he make you? Why…why did you do this? Sokka, don’t you understand? A mate is a mate for life! For! Life!” When Katara was done, her chest was heaving, her face still close to Sokka’s.
“I think I need to lie down,” Sokka muttered, suddenly feeling sick to the stomach. He took a few unsteady steps back, and those around him looked on with worry now. “I’m fine, I promise. I just…hardly slept last night. Then, you know. And then we had a fight. That’s three things. So…I’m going to go lie down.”
With that, Sokka moved carefully past Katara, then Toph, as they were both between him and the corridor to his room. He made it to his room after a short bit, staring at the door for a moment before going in and looking around. It felt so strange. Empty. Zuko should have been there. But that was just the bond speaking. With apprehension, Sokka laid down, turning on his side and curling up in an attempt to get his stomach to stop cramping. Why was it cramping? Whatever. It would stop eventually. After a few minutes, sleep took Sokka, and he had a dreamless few hours.