"Sokka?.. You really still working?..Its so late already!"
Man was tinkering away for hours now, buried under the piles of notebooks, books and strange contraptions you wouldnt know how to name even if you tried. And it understandably made you, his lover, concern at his overworking.
So as you came by to check up on him, u was both surprised and unsurprised to see him still busy.
You wasnt surprised that you received such a curt response. You was surprised he even acknowledged it, with his mind clearly worlds away from you and the outside world. He always got like this when new invention came to mind. Creations and innovations caging him in his workshop.
Knowing him back from the younger days, you'd never expect him to become so invested. Nose deep in books and even making his own notes. Progression slow but undeniable as you all grown up.
Before it was his complaints about how magic isnt a thing and science is the answer to everything, only on surface level things he heard here and there from grown ups. But years later into studying and practicing, now he wielded same notion with actual knowledge behind it.
As well as gaining even bigger need to prove that bending wasn't all that it was to the world. How non-benders like him was capable of great things even without help of powers of spirit and magic.
But sometimes he needed someone to be reminded to pace himself. Before it was mostly his sister. But with siblings separating, Katara being busy at Republic City and Sokka returning back to South Pole alongside his father, who became understandably busy rebuilding and leading South Water Tribe at Wolf Cove, you, who followed after your lover, was only one left to remind him to take a breather.
As no further reaction on your question followed, you came up closer. After making sure he wasnt doing anything explosive and seemed to browse his tool box for something, your hands firmly reached his forearm to tug him away from the workbench as gentle as possible. Worried frown plastered on your face and slight pout making him freeze as soon as his head snapped your way in clear disoleasure. Realisation of who stood before him came quickly, and frown melted in softness. Even slight guilt at throwing unearned glare your way.
"Oh, baby.. Its you. Im sorry, i thought some kids came by to pester me again. What are you doing here, sweetcheeks?"
Hugging your man softly, cheek squishing slightly as it pressed to his muscled biceps, your eyelashes flattered up at him.
"You've done it again, Sokka. Its been at least ten hours since you left your place this morning. And im sure as spirit pit that you didnt eat or drink anything since then."
You shook your head with a heavy exasperated sigh. It was good he had such a passion, but not at his health expanse.
"Didn't you say you was going to make some sort of time counting contraption so ull know when to get a break? 'Alarm timer', you called it? If i do remember it right.."
And blinking slowly at you, his hand that softly caressed back of your head stopped as he finally get to lusten to his body. And sure enough, his shoulders slumped and eyelids dropped half way as weariness set in. Only now did he realised how parched he was, now that he talked louder them occasional mumbled iunder his breath on the topic of research. And his stomach pulled in strings in hunger. He only had some breakfast and then left to work right away. Up until now.
Man knew full well that if you didnt came, he probably would collapse by the end of the day. Only to be found by his no less tired father and then listen a hour long lectures on self care. Sokka could only hope his lover wont tattle on him to Hakoda.
As his hands resumed previous petting potions against the back of your head and your nape, he sighed, pulling an amused smirk.
Especially as his chest felt all fuzzy knowing that you actually listened his science rumbles, and believed in his abilities in creation, even if uou didnt understand most of it at all.
"Well, i didnt lie. I was busy today trying to do exactly that. It came out to be far more tedious, since it has to be small. And, well, bearable in its sound."
Situation was ironic indeed, and you couldn't help but grin ever so slightly as well.
"Fair enough. I guess ill have to be your personal alarm until then. Huh? It would be ridiculous if you drowned yourself in work, not tracking times of rest, all while creating an invention that supposed to track exact time and alarm you accordingly."
"You know, not that you put it like that, i might just halt whole invention process or drag it out forever, if i get to see and hear my lovely whenever i need a break. You know id take your voice and gentle touch over blaring piece of metall any day."
Sokka's smirk only widened as he wiggled his eyebrows enticingly, earning himslef an amused eyeroll.
"It sounds way sweeter indeed, but id appreciate me coming to visit be out of love, rather then job. Besides, its not like id stop coming by even when u finish the thing. I need my daily dose of my handsome man too, you know?"
And Sokka practically glowed at the praise and affections, preening and puffing his chest out with slow nods.
"Yeah, yeah. You are right. How can you survive without seeing my dazzling face and witnessing my genius at work personally. That makes sense. What a smart cookie you are, no wonder im head over heels for you."
He practically purred the last part as he wrapped his arms around your waist and squeezed you tight into his chest. Lifting you off the ground ever so slightly for a small twirl and pecking your lips and nose lovingly. His chest full and warm despite the exaustion and the cold, as he saw how happy you was.
And as your palm softly rubbed his slightly tainted cheek, he leaned in eagerly, and sighed. Closing his eyes and nuzzling your temple with a murmur.
"Alright.. Lets go, im done for today. I'll ask my apprentice to clean up the mess."
His tummy seemed to rumble in agreement, and you hummed, face nuzzling his chest.
"Yeah, we tottaly should. Need to feed you before you decide to eat me instead."
Soft words making Sokka's smirk turn teasing as he playfully moved to nip your earlobe.
"I just might, my pretty alarm."
And hauling you up in his strong arms, he eagerly stomped towards his hut. He knew you wont leave him starving. And it was about time he gave you some attention as well.
