Okay guys, this is part one of my Zukaang story. If you don't like the pairing or shounen-ai, I suggest you don't read any further!

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: the Last Airbender or the characters. And I'm not making money of this.

Enjoy!

It was Valentine's Day. The only day of the whole year Aang couldn't enjoy. It wasn't because he didn't have any friends, because he had them. Lots of them to be precise. And it certainly wasn't because he didn't have a girlfriend, because he was dating Katara.

No, the reason he didn't like Valentine's Day was Zuko. The teen was sulking every time Aang saw him, and it really didn't help that Katara told him to just ignore Zuko. But ignoring him was harder that it may have seemed like. It wasn't like Zuko was a talk-active person who would constantly seek for attention, but the look in his eyes hounded Aang. He couldn't overlook it.

It was true that Zuko had been dumped by Mai, but it had happened a month ago. Apparently Mai had said something about being bored to death and just left without further warning. Zuko had been really depressed that time. It had taken a few weeks for him to pull himself together again, and Aang had hoped that everything would be alright after that. He really didn't want to see his friends suffering.

And now Zuko was wielding the same desperate look as he had a month ago. Nobody else seemed to notice it though. Aang sighed. 'This'll be a long day..'

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

It was nearly nightfall when Aang returned to the camp. He had been collecting firewood for a few hours, and was extremely tired. Searching for firewood wasn't hard or exhausting, but he was thinking about stuff that he really didn't want to think of. Stuff like cleaning after the former fire nation. Or all the responsibilities that awaited him after the little trip of theirs ended.

Aang shrugged the thoughts away and slumped next to Katara. She was sitting in front of the campfire with Sokka, Suki and Toph.

"Hey" Aang greeted and watched the fire burn.

"Hey!" Sokka was the first to reply. "Took you pretty long to get the firewood. Did you get lost or something?" He was grinning to Aang who just sat there silent.

When no reply came, everyone fixed their eyes to Aang.

"Hey, are you okay? Did something happen..?" It was Katara's turn to speak as she squeezed his hand gently.

"Ah, no no. Everythings fine! I'm just a bit tired, that's all" he assured to Katara and smiled.

"Oh, ok"

As everyone continued their earlier chatter, something struk Aang.

"Um.. Where's Zuko?"

Sokka and Katara had the same unknowing expression. They looked at Suki, who just shrugged and looked equally confused.

"He's in his tent." It was Toph who opened her mouth. "He's been there for a few hours now. We tried to get him out to eat, but he said he wasn't hungry."

"Oh" was all Aang could think of.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

"Zuko? Are you in there?" Aang tugged nervously on his shirt as no one replied. The tent was completely silent. Not even a breath could be heard from inside.

Aang mustered all of his courage and stepped inside. The sight in front of him was unbelievable: Zuko was sleeping on the floor, with a pillow in his arms.

Aang didn't dare to move. He was taking a step back, when his foot got caught in something. Aang froze and turned to set his foot free. He hissed and struggled to free himself from the string that was only tangling more as he started to panic.

He landed on the floor not-so-gracefully, with a silent thud. Aang sighed and turned to face Zuko. He thought that the other boy was still sleeping, but was surprised to see a pair of confused amber eyes.

Zuko watched as Aang pulled himself from the floor to a sitting position. The younger boy was blushing slightly, which was understandable considering the situation.

"…"

"So, uh.. I- I was just wondering if you were okay.. Si- since you've been here for quite a while now." Aang stuttered and looked more embarrassed as he had just a moment ago.

Zuko stared the other boy before answering. "Oh. I'm fine."

Aang seemed to ponder the reply he was given. He had an unreadable expression on his face.

"Well, I don't think you're okay."

"Huh?"

"You seem so distant. Like something's really bugging you." He continued with a softer expression on "You know that you can tell me everything, right? I mean, that's what friends are for."

Zuko sighed before glancing at Aang. "Yeah, I know.. It's just.. That.. Umm.. It's something I have to deal with myself."

"Oh."

"And besides, it would ruin your day if you had to listen to my whining." Zuko laughed nervously.

Aang stared at him with a comforting smile on his face. "Don't worry about my day. It can't possibly get any worse." He laughed shortly before continuing. "Everyone seems so happy and carefree, but.. I just don't feel like that! The appointment with the Earth King is nearing, there's the annual Ba Sing Se Ball where I have to go in order to 'maintain strong relations to other kingdoms' or something like that and then there are all the help requests I get from all over the earth nation, and.. An-"

Aang was cut short by Zuko's hand. The other boy had pressed it firmly against Aang's lips and was now thinking of a good reply to all that blabbering.

"Sigh.. You should calm down."

Aang nodded and got his mouth free.

They talked about their problems: the Earth kingdom, rebuilding the four nations and Mai. Aang was surprised to hear her name, but didn't show it. He just patted Zuko's shoulder and motioned him to go on with his speech.

Zuko was thankful for the opportunity to talk. He trusted Aang and quite frankly liked his company. Aang had been the first one to trust him when he first tried to join their little gang. He had also been the one who had told him that everything was going to be alright, when the war had been at it's worst. And when the war had ended a few years ago, Aang had stayed by Zuko's side and helped him gain the trust of the Fire nation. That was something Zuko appreciated.

Being the new Fire Lord wasn't easy, but it helped to know that you had friends you could trust. Not only Aang, but the whole group had accepted him and become quite close to him. Although he still didn't talk much to Suki.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Aang yawned and stretched his arms. He had been hanging out with Zuko for the past few hours, and now it was almost midnight. He sneaked to the fireplace, but it was already extinguished. He looked around and spotted the one he had been looking for: Katara.

When Aang got closer, he could see Katara's pout. 'Ugh… She's pouting at me..?'

His question got answered pretty quickly when Katara opened her mouth:

"Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you.. It's Valentine's Day and we haven't even spent any time together.."

She sounded hurt and Aang knew it was all his fault.

"I'm sorry. I've been hanging out with Zuko and didn't notice the time go by so quickly."

"Hmph. Fine. But don't wander off without telling me. I was really worried!"

"Sorry for that.."

"Sigh. It's ok. Just.. Don't do it again, alright?"

"I won't. I promise."

She smiled happily and hugged Aang. "Thanks" She sounded relieved.

So that's the first chapter! I really would like to hear your opinions on this one, so R&R, please! But noooo flames