Quick Author's Notes: Just a very short drabble I wrote at one o'clock in the morning. Major spoilers for the Avatar episode "The Firebending Masters"; Aang's comment about the fire being like a little heartbeat was so cute! XD

Little Heartbeat

The small, orange globule of fire was pulsing delicately in Aang's hands. Upon feeling its comforting heat, all the fear and doubt in his mind disappeared instantly. The fire cast a light glow across his face, and Aang smiled softly, looking up at Zuko.

"It's...like a little heartbeat..." he murmured. Zuko gave a slight nod.

"Yes," he breathed, looking down at his own fire ball, "it is."

Aang could feel the fire's warmth pressing against his skin, but astonishingly enough, it did not burn him. It was almost like an animal—A dragon, Aang thought...