Hello lovely readers,

It seemed that by some unknown force, this first chapter had been switched with a chapter from another work. And I while I have now fixed the error, I'm so sorry for the confusion. I am also very thankful to raevinederont1 for reaching out and notifying me about the error.

Happy readings!

Best,

Jinipan

Aang's troubles began a few days after Zuko had joined their group.

He had unknowingly triggered them through his own observations, and from his own desire to understand Zuko better.

He had begun starring at him, comparing and noting all of Zuko's unique qualities.

Among the first things he noticed was that Zuko was a good teacher. Despite Aang's protests and general lack of commitment, he had to admit that Zuko was patient with him. His demonstrations were always perfect and controlled and his explanations clear. He always took the time to break everything down and deliver it to Aang at a steady and manageable pace. And while he was harsh when it came criticizing his performance, he never shied away from giving Aang the praised he was due.

But while Zuko was a good and confident teacher, Aang observed that his social skills outside the the training ground were lacking to say the least.

Zuko was shy and awkward, more so he suspected because of the tension his sudden presence brought to the group. Often Aang would observe him from across the campfire, noticing how Zuko awkwardly sat to the side in silence while the respect of the group joked and laughed with each other. During those times, Zuko would sometimes glanced at the rest of the group with a look of longing in his eyes. The mere sight of it made Aang a little sad inside.

So Aang tried to be diplomatic and bring Zuko closer into the group. At first, his attempts were not well received by both Zuko and the others. Zuko gave bland short answers to all Aang's questions while the rest ignored him completely. But as the days passed and life moved on, Zuko slowly shifted closer to the group. And while he was still shy and awkward, his reactions began to vary. Zuko would smile shyly at people's comments, laugh quietly at people's jokes, and when he was shy, Zuko would turn red and hide his eyes behind the shadows cast by his long shaggy hair.

He noted how Zuko's actions also shifted with every person he interacted, although his interactions tended to be limited to Toph, Sokka and himself. With the obviously hostility, it was only natural that he remained quite and reserved with the others.

Yet Zuko's change was evident and Aang secretly watched with great fascination how he morphed into different people.

When Zuko was alone with Toph, he was calm and open. They both seemed to understand each other and Aang felt that Toph was one of the few select people Zuko allowed to see his vulnerability. That in itself made Aang was happy. So with hope that those interactions continued, he tried not to let it show he knew whenever he caught them smiling.

In contrast, Zuko was competitive with Sokka, treating him like an equal. Aang knew their mutual love and skill with weapons had bonded them and he would pause from his earth bending training to see them talking eagerly about swords or hear the clashing of metal as they practiced.

And as his observations continued, Aang was surprised to realize how beautiful Zuko truly was.

Zuko's body was unique. It did not resemble those of the other boys at the Western Air temple. Although he was not much taller or older than Sokka or Haru, he somehow looked much more mature, regal and stronger.

During training Aang marveled at the strange mix that composed Zuko's physic. Zuko was surprisingly slim yet his muscles were more prominent than the other boys. The smooth groves and swells on his body revealing his hidden physical strength.

And as he paused to take a breath, he saw how Zuko's pale skin glowed in the sunlight. Its vast, smooth milkness triggered old memories inside him. Aang couldn't help but think of the Earth Kingdom's fine porcelain and how wonderful it felt when he had held a small porcelain cup in his hands. The mere memory urged him to touch Zuko, curious if his skin felt the same.

As Aang resumed his training, he continued to admire Zuko from the corner of his eyes. His gaze settled on Zuko's face.

Like his body, his face also had an elegant beauty to it. Zuko had fine features: a long narrow nose and thin smooth lips. And although his scar looked fierce and angry, it complimented the other side of his face, where a thick dark eyebrow curved elegantly over an almond shaped eye.

His eyes, though, were arguably his best feature. Both eyes, even the one deformed into a permanent slit, glowed a warm gold, twinkling when he smiled and unconsciously attracting Aang's gaze.

And the more he stared, the more Aang thought of these things as he ate and trained with Zuko. His mind logically processing any new information until he realized that due to his initial deep fear of Zuko he had been blind to his beauty. He had simply reduced Zuko's image to an omen of danger.

As the days went by, Zuko's place in the group was cemented. The other's no longer looked at him with intense suspicion and hatred. Even Katara had stopped her protests and no longer glared at him.

Everything would seem well if it wasn't for the way Aang's continued observations began to puzzle him.

He had not known before how warm Zuko was. His skin was much hotter than anyone else's. Aang secretly relished the way the pale skin seemed to be constantly radiating a soft heat. And soon every accidental brush of an elbow as they ate around the small campfire or a brush of their fingertips as Zuko handed him something, brought him immense pleasure.

Aang's urge to touch Zuko's skin was further fed by his discovery of its complex and varying texture. With every accidental touch, Aang had learned Zuko's hands were rough and strong with callouses while the skin of his forearm was smooth and soft like velvet. How wonderful, Aang thought with a smile one day, and he tried to imagine how the rest of Zuko felt as he stared at Zuko's pale neck from across the campfire.

Soon enough Aang had started to feel rather uncomfortable around Zuko. At first he thought he was paranoid, although he didn't know why. After Zuko had done nothing wrong and Aang really, really did enjoy Zuko's presence.

But as he grew further unsure of his feelings towards Zuko, Aang suddenly felt he could no longer train with him, at least not without something digging at him inside.

When he stood next to Zuko, Aang would slowly be intoxicated by his faint scent of soot and fire lilies. His heart would begin to beat rapidly at the sound of the deep and raspy breaths Zuko took, while his eyes would follow the small beads on Zuko's skin, following them as they trailed down his long neck with great intensity. And whenever he saw Zuko's skin flush an impossible rosy pink color, Aang would suddenly become breathless and start squirming.

But whatever it was, it wasn't only eating at him but Katara as well.

Her eyes sometimes lingered on Zuko like his, although hers always had a strange glossy shine to them. She also seemed to relish the warm feel of his skin, intentionally brushing Zuko's fingers with her own as she handed him a bowl during every meal. And out of the whole group only she got up early for their training, watching them with intense eyes and parted lips.

And when she thought no one was looking, Aang saw her pass by quickly, gently running her fingers over Zuko's discarded shirt before resuming her work.

For some reason Katara's attentiveness began to bother Aang. His mood would suddenly sour when he caught her eyes lingering on Zuko a little too long. And he would stare bitterly at the back of her head when she walked side by side with Zuko.

He was not sure why he suddenly felt so angry at his friend, at least not till a few days later when he woke up covered in sweat and feeling an uncomfortable tightness in his stomach. Images of pale and delicious sweat covered skin burned into his he squirmed slightly as he felt a tingling sensation after the loose fabric of his pants shifted when he sat up.

And Aang noticed that for the first time in his life, that part him was erect and pressed against his soft flat stomach.