A/N: Hey everyone! I'm back, can you believe it? It's been a while but as promised, I have returned to write again. Towards the end of Unexpected Complications I asked what pairing readers wanted to see next (as long as it involved my favorite, Aang) and an Aang/Zuko pairing seemed to be the resounding response. Can't argue with that, I might have picked that myself! So here's chapter one, hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 1: Learning How to Smile

The crackle of a fire was the only sound radiating through the deserted air temple, and it was doing a lousy job of breaking the awkward tension among the group.

The source of said tension felt his face burn from the multiple pairs of eyes (blind or otherwise) he knew were staring daggers at him. He deserved it, he supposed. But he really wished his creeping blush would die down.

Aang watched the fire nation prince as he tried to hide his increasingly obvious nerves. His heart went out to him, it certainly didn't look like a fun situation to be in.

It had been quite the eventful day for everyone. For only a few short hours ago the sworn enemy, the hunter who had tracked and the Avatar like an animal, the guy who had made their lives a living hell for the past few months, showed up on their proverbial doorstep wanting to join the crew.

And miraculously, he ended up doing just that. Although by the look on his face now, he probably wished he hadn't.

Zuko had showed up at the air temple out of the blue, asking for forgiveness and offering to train the young Avatar in Fire Bending, in order to defeat his own father.

Even Aang had to admit it was quite out of character…and a bit suspicious. But something about the young prince's persona made Aang know he was genuine. Whether good or bad, Zuko could hide nothing in his golden eyes. His heart and intentions were always on his sleeve. Aang admired him for it, and also feared him for the same reason.

As Aang looked across the fire he saw his newly extended group glaring at the prince, particularly Katara. It hurt Aang's soul to see his dear friend with such rage burning in her eyes. Maybe he could ease some of the tension. For her sake…

"So Zuko, why don't you show us some Fire Bending tricks?"

Zuko jumped slightly at the sudden voice breaking the silence, then focused his eyes on Aang. The Avatar felt something tighten in his chest, but shrugged it off. It was normal to have gut reactions to your ex-enemy staring you in the face, he supposed.

Zuko welcomed the request and began standing up to perform, a slight smile on his face.

"Don't you dare start playing with fire around us!"

Zuko stopped in mid crouch.

Sokka tried to calm his sister down, realizing there was really no need to make things any harder than they already were, "Katara…don't be like this. He's going to have to fire bend eventually, how's he gonna' teach Aang?"

Katara didn't respond, she just glared at the prince, who was still stooped low on the balls of his feet. After a moment of hesitation, he sat back down.

Aang didn't think the situation could get any tenser, but Katara had managed to raise the bar quite sufficiently. He looked to Sokka, who only shrugged. He knew his sister well enough to know she wasn't going to be swayed, at least not tonight.

Aang felt stuck. He wanted to help Zuko out, but not at the expense of having Katara mad at him too. He looked at both of them, conflicted, and suddenly his mouth reacted on its own…

"Well I want to see him fire bend!"

Everyone's eyes snapped from Zuko to the Avatar, with Zuko looking the most shocked of all, well…after Katara that is. But only for a brief moment.

"Aang, it's too dangerous. We don't know if we can trust him!"

"Well…I think I can…I mean, I think we all can, Katara."

Katara stared at him blankly. The entire group held their breath, waiting for an explosion, crying, a violent display of water bending…

Silence seemed to stretch out forever.

"Fine Aang, do whatever you think is right. You are the Avatar after all."

Katara abruptly stood up and walked away, stomping harder than usual as she went. Much to the group's relief, Sokka decided to end the suffering before it continued.

"Alright! Well on that note what do you say we call it a night guys?"

Nobody argued, and the crew jumped up and went to their respective rooms as quickly as possible.

That is, except for the Zuko and Aang.

A pregnant silence fell between them. It was weird, and awkward. But not like before, with the seething anger and distrust. This time it was…somewhat exciting.

Zuko scratched the back of his head, he almost seemed nervous. He then turned and focused his golden orbs on the Avatar, and again that strange chest tightness occurred. Aang shrugged it off.

"Um..thanks, Avatar. I appreciate you uh, you know, standing up for me."

Zuko seemed so strange and different from how he was before. He went from the overly confident prideful prince of the fire nation to this insecure nervous boy who just seemed down right…lonely.

"I'm sorry about Katara, Zuko. She'll come around, she's just scared I think."

"And what about you, are you scared of me?"

Aang blanched at the question, he honestly hadn't even thought about it. Fear would have been the natural reaction to joining with the enemy, but strangely enough, it hadn't even crossed his mind.

"Well…I guess…not."

Zuko looked genuinely surprised, "Really?"

"Yeah…"

"Oh. Well…thank you, Avatar."

"Just call me Aang."

Zuko blushed slightly and looked away, it was strange for him to call Aang by his real name and not just his lofty title. It made him a real person and not some phantom always floating just out of his grasp.

"Okay, Aang."

Aang found himself blushing as well. He could be wrong, but he was fairly certain it was the first time he had heard Zuko call him by something other than "Avatar". The unique timbre of Zuko's voice made it sound exotic and strange. Aang liked it, a lot.

Aang realized that Zuko was probably exhausted, and itching to get to bed after the evening he'd been through. He didn't exactly want to sleep, but he figured it was time.

"So you going to bed?"

Zuko took a deep breath before responding with a small weary smile, "I don't think I could sleep now even if I tried, it's been too hectic a day. My head is swimming, I think it would just keep me awake."

"Oh.."

Again, there was a passing of awkward silence.

"But that shouldn't keep you from going to sleep! Please, I'll be fine. I'll probably just stay out here for a while, maybe explore the temple."

Aang couldn't help but feel a ping of nervousness when he heard this. This was sacred ground, and he wasn't sure he liked the idea of Zuko exploring it unaccompanied. He didn't want to doubt his intentions, but after what had happened to the other temples he couldn't help but be protective.

As if reading his mind, Zuko quickly realized why Aang wasn't responding,

"Oh! Well I mean, I won't explore then, I'll just stay right here by the fire, really!"

Aang suddenly felt guilty for thinking Zuko would harm the temple. He really did seem to be trying, and he was laying on the humility pretty thick.

He smiled at the nervous prince, "How about I show you around the temple, it'll be fun!"

Zuko smiled back, he seemed to be relived. "Sure, I'd like that Ava…Aang. If you're sure you're not too tired."

"Not at all, for some reason I don't think I could fall asleep either."

A/N: Oh my it feels so good to write about Aang, I just love him so much! Feedback is greatly appreciated! Chapter two coming soon...