Artwork: Thank you so much to sunnyartsstudio for the super adorable Zukka artwork!

Night and Day

Zuko tried to conceal his smile as he watched his roommate unpack his belongings and rant about his summer. Although he had tried everything he could to get over his roommate during the break, being back with him and that big, warm, happy-to-see-you hug he received immediately upon his arrival undid all of his perceived progress. Nonetheless, it was good to be back at Ba Sing Se University. Back with him. With Sokka, his best friend in the world.

So smart, so charismatic, so witty, and those sea blue eyes… it was just too easy to fall for someone like Sokka. Not to mention their instantaneous friendship. Zuko had never connected with anybody quite like that before. His feelings never wavered, not when Sokka started dating Yue the second month of freshman year until she decided to transfer to be closer to family, and not even when Sokka asked Suki to be his girlfriend not too long after that. It gnawed at his insides every time Suki was in their room, which seemed like all the damn time, watching them cuddle, hold hands, and make out. He was absolutely thrilled when Sokka texted him in June announcing that Suki broke it off with him. Now Sokka was single, happy to be back, decorating their room, and prattling on about something…

"So what do you think?"

Zuko blinked his eyes. "Huh? What?"

"Dude, were you even listening?"

"Sorry…"

"Ugh," Sokka groaned. "This is important." He sighed and shook his head. "Stand up."

"What, why?"

"Because we're making a pact."

"Okay…" He stood from his mattress. His feet firmly affixed to the floor, Zuko's heartrate gradually sped up as Sokka proceeded to walk right up in front of him.

"So as you know, my grades weren't the best last semester and I almost lost my scholarship. I need to focus more this year. I'm not happy it's come to this, but… I'm swearing off girls for the year. No dating, no girlfriends."

Zuko's heart leapt in his chest. This was the best news he could possibly receive.

"But I need you to promise to do the same."

"What, swear off girls?" he laughed. "Easy."

"You know what I mean," Sokka smiled. "No dating, no boyfriends."

"And how does me swearing off boys help you stay focused exactly…?"

"Because… I wasn't exactly the greatest roommate in the world last year since I was too distracted with Suki, but this year…" He placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "…I want it to just be about the two of us."

Zuko swallowed, choking a bit as he scrambled to figure out what to say. His heart was pounding. He hated feeling so hopeless.

"So promise me, won't you?" Sokka asked, his blue eyes beckoning.

"I-I prom – " Zuko was cut off by a knock at the door. "Are you expecting someone?"

"No, are you?"

"No."

Sokka shrugged and crossed the room to open the door. "Can I help you?"

"Hey," a boy with mischievous brown eyes answered. "I just moved in across the hall from you. The name's Jet."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Sokka." He gestured behind him with a nod of his head. "And this is – "

"Hi, Zuko here," the firebender blurted, instantly embarrassed by the phrasing. The new guy was hot. And Zuko was in desperate need of a distraction from his feelings for Sokka. Jet seemed like he could be the perfect distraction.

Sokka raised an eyebrow at his roommate as Jet chuckled.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both." Jet looked around their room, his eyes darting to the big screen television and scanning all the videogame systems and DVDs. "I really just wanted to introduce myself. I just transferred from Gaipan State. Go Badgermoles, I guess."

Zuko laughed harder than he should have, which seemed to annoy Sokka for some reason.

"Anyway, my roommate isn't here yet, and I was hoping maybe someone could show me around campus."

"I-I'd love to," Zuko responded a little too enthusiastically.

Sokka saw it. The sparkle in Zuko's golden eyes as they locked on to Jet's face. It made Sokka feel sick to his stomach. This year was supposed to be about just the two of them, Sokka and Zuko conquering sophomore year together. So much for their pact.