This stemmed from a conversation with an anon on a certain LJ comm. I mentioned that Jet's behavior could be taken like that of a scorned man in love, and then I remembered I always wanted to write some form of Jet/Zuko just to see if I could. Thus, this fic happened.
*
I didn't want it to be true.
You were special, Li. I looked at you and I saw someone like me, an outcast who got the raw end of the stick and wanted a fresh start. An escape from the crappy life you were used to. You would have been a perfect Freedom Fighter but even more than that you'd have been a perfect friend.
No, more than a friend. It wasn't just your skills I wanted, Li, it was you. It's still strange that I could've fallen for another guy, especially in such a short time, but I did.
It was bad enough when you rejected my offer, but it didn't hurt. I figured I could just keep asking you, maybe if we spent more time together you'd reconsider. But then I saw the old man with his tea.
I didn't want it to be true, but at that moment it all made sense.
You're a Firebender. Longshot and Smellerbee keep saying I'm crazy, but it explains too much. The old man's tea, your rejection, your secretive ways...hell, I bet you even got that scar on purpose and you're lying about being a refugee, just so you could sneak into Ba Sing Se and set the rest of your Firebending buddies on us.
If you'd said yes and we got any closer who knows how long before you would've turned me in?
Dammit, Li, why'd you have to go get my hopes up like that anyway?! Fuck, I really liked you...it was like we were soul mates, or something, why'd you have to be one of them?
Oh well, not like it matters now. Soon you and the old man'll be locked away and I'll never have to look at you again.
You'll pay for breaking my heart, Li. Pay through your fucking nose.