"Aren't you going to grab some lunch with us, Kuzon?"
Aang's head snapped up, and he quickly ushered Momo back into his tunic, turning swiftly on his heel to face the same beaming grin that had greeted him the previous day.
"Oh - uh…I…" His nose wrinkled as he examined the platter of meat the young girl had carried out to him and he smiled sheepishly, averting his gaze from her genuine stare. "Thanks, but I don't really eat meat," he admitted, cringing in anticipation of her rebuttal.
But the girl just laughed and ushered him over to an empty table, partially hidden from the sun that baked the courtyard beneath a stone awning.
"Colony life must be so different," she mused, taking a seat across from him. "I've never met anyone like you before, Kuzon. That's a compliment, by the way."
Aang smiled sheepishly, his skin flushing a light pink as he rubbed a hand over his head, still getting used to the dark layer of hair that covered his tattoos. He wondered if On Ji would like him so much if she knew who he really was; but her sincere smile and dark, dazzling eyes brimmed with happiness that only the truly good seemed to wear so well.
She gave him hope that perhaps not everyone in the Fire Nation was a lost cause.
He watched her as she began eating when suddenly a thought struck him. "Shouldn't you be eating with your boyfriend?" he asked, genuine curiosity lifting his tone.
On Ji just laughed. "Hide's not my boyfriend. He just likes to call himself that," she said with a gracious roll of her eyes.
For some reason, that filled Aang with relief, the tightness in his chest easing. "Oh, well, he seems to like you a lot," he said, smiling too much, like he always did when he was nervous. An awkward chuckle escaped his throat, and he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"I wouldn't say I feel the same way about him," On Ji replied, shrugging. "He doesn't seem to get that, though." She continued eating in silence for a moment, then looked up again, blushing at the way her companion looked at her. It was so different from Hide; it was like he actually saw her, and not just a pretty face destined for a high-ranking political career.
"We should go to class," she said after a moment, setting Aang's untouched tray on her empty one.
Aang shook his head, his reverie interrupted, and he stood up too quickly, nodding his assent. "Oh, right," he said, reaching to take the trays for her.
She met his eyes, still smiling at the strange manners of the boy, and pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek. "Don't tell Hide," she chuckled, imparting one last smile before turning on her heel.
Aang stood speechless and breathless with the two trays still in his hands, dazed until Momo jerked inside his tunic. Then he shook his head and ran after the girl, an idea sparking.
"Wait!" he called, managing to catch up with her just before she walked back inside. On Ji turned, surprised, but not unhappy to see him again. Aang smiled at her, his nerves disappearing; he knew she'd like this idea, and he knew he could trust her.
"I was wondering," he said, "if you could help me spread the word about the dance party I'm throwing tonight."
On Ji just shook her head, laughing to herself. "You're crazy, Kuzon," she chuckled. "Of course I'll help you."