The Fire Lord found himself awake again, late into the night. He couldn't sleep. Not that his bed wasn't comfortable, not that he wasn't tired, not that his living quarters weren't adequate, really, quite the opposite, actually. He had a bed chamber larger than the house he had shared with his Uncle as refugees—which truthfully seemed like ages ago—festooned with pillows and blankets with thread counts higher than anyone should even know. That is, here in the palace, not with his Uncle. Iroh was too fond of spilling his tea to ever have that many bedroom ornaments. No, he couldn't sleep because there was too much on his mind. Being Fire Lord gave him great power and prestige and the means to right many of the wrongs that his father put in place, but with that comes a great deal of responsibility. Even for things that are out of his control. He has become a scapegoat of sorts for many people. The Fire Nation has a great debt to pay to the world. One he is in charge of. And, as much as he tried, he never seemed to be able to do enough. Fighting was breaking out in the colonies. He's had multiple death threats on himself and even real attacks. He's had more and more trouble keeping himself together, and although throughout the day he longed for the night, as soon as it came, he couldn't manage to get the rest he so desperately sought.
"Zuko…?" A tiny voice accompanied by a knock came in from his door. He recognized it, but it surprised him nonetheless. Aang wasn't one for staying up late. He was a growing boy; he needed his rest after all. Though that usually meant sleeping until all hours of the day. Such a typical boy—well, despite being the Avatar and saving the world and all.
He coughed to clear his throat and then whispered back, "Yes?"
The door creaked open rather loudly and a ray of light cut into the darkness. Zuko had to squint to see anything, but there was no mistaking his slight frame.
"Are you asleep?" the Avatar whispered.
"If I was would I be talking to you?" Zuko answered.
"Oh, right, yeah. Umm, can I come in?"
Zuko sighed and replied with, "Sure, I guess. Just be careful with the—" Too late. He shut the door with a loud squeal and a raucous bang. The fire nation palace was old, and it showed. Zuko didn't want to sleep in his father's room, for various reasons, so he took to an older wing of the building. The upkeep wasn't as good here.
The young Avatar shuffled through the darkness, his light steps leading him to the edge of the bed. He sat on it facing away from the new Fire Lord and yawning loudly. Zuko sat up and lit a lantern adhered to the wall. The crackling orange light danced across Aang's shirtless back and tattooed head and body making strange shapes in the darkness with the scar on his back. Zuko rubbed his eyes.
"What is it?" he asked, not yet sure if he was annoyed or thankful for his presence.
"I don't know," Aang began, "I've been having trouble sleeping. I've a lot on my mind since… you know."
"Right." Zuko wondered if he was talking about the aftermath of the battle, or his recent rather large fight with Katara. He decided though, that it was best not to ask and to just let him speak.
"I wish I could just forget things and get to sleep. I know I've so much to do, and I think that's part of the reason I can't fall asleep. The battle is over but the fight isn't done. Everyone expects me to both be the Avatar and be Aang and I can hardly be one at a time with all that's going on! Sometimes I feel like my head is going to explode. You know?" He spoke all of this to the far wall in the darkness. Maybe he didn't need Zuko to listen so much as he needed somebody to. And nobody knew better than the new Fire Lord about expectations that are hard to fulfill.
"I know. You're only one person and can be at one place at one time. I'm sure you're doing your best. Things are just more… complicated than were to be expected," he said to himself as much as to Aang.
"Yeah." The Avatar looked down and fiddled with his hands. "I just wish everyone else would understand that." Aang turned and sat on the bed so he could see him now.
"Me too," Zuko said, "Me too." Aang scoffed and smiled at him.
"Thanks, Sifu Hotman," Aang said with a dorky grin that looked more tired and crazed than happy. To which the Fire Lord rolled his eyes.
"Now get out before I set you on fire." Zuko said playfully. He found himself tired after the mostly one-sided talk, and almost to agree, Aang rose with a noisy yawn and made his way to the door, head down, pretending he was hurt by the threat. As he opened the door softly, Zuko whispered out to him, "And Aang; if you need someone to talk to, you know, I'm here. I could use the break from my duties too. You're always welcome."
"Thank you, Fire Lord Zuko," he whispered back at him while Zuko extinguished the flame.
"Sure thing, Avatar Aang," he answered into the darkness before the door shut. He then lay back down, and without much thought, he found himself falling fast asleep.