Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar, as awesome as that would be..
Love Takes Strength
"No, no. You're doing it all wrong." Zuko pulled Aang from his stance. "My uncle explained to me that firebending is not about strength. It's about breathing and control. And as much as that's true, it is also important that you aren't too timid"
Aang inhaled, "Okay..." Aang resumed his stance, and this time he was a bit less timid. A slightly larger flame appeared than the trifling flame that appeared before.
"Better," Zuko admitted. Aang lowered his stance. "But you are still too timid." Aang looked distraught. Zuko sighed, "Okay, I am new to the whole, 'supportive friend to the Avatar' thing, but I'm going to make an attempt at it." He motioned for Aang to sit on the wall to the right of them.
They were practicing in a largely opened area with no plants or any other items with significance too close. The walls had illustrations of Air Bisons and Air Nomads of the civilization long lost. Vines grew over the painting and very little of it was visible. The sun shine hit the room just right, and made the room perfect to practice in.
Zuko sat beside him, "Is it the fire incident with Katara whats holding you back"
Aang nodded, "I just don't want to burn anyone I love again. When Katara ran from me crying, I didn't think that i could live wit ht myself. It just tore me up inside." Zuko paused for a brief moment, contemplating the issue that stood before him.
Zuko sat up a little, "There's more to it than that, isn't there?"
Aang tried miserably to hide his crimson blush from Zuko, "...Um..." His voice cracked in the middle of "Um".
Zuko laughed, "Look, Aang, I know I'm not the most comfortable person to be talking to, especially when it comes to you and Katara. But I am no longer throwing fire at you, nor do I feel the need to do so any longer. I want you to be able to trust me, or me joining the team will never work."
Aang continued his tense position, but he replied, "You promise you won't tell?" Zuko nodded. Aang sat more relaxed. He drew in a deep breath before explaining, "..I... think I'm in love with her. She was the one who broke me out of the iceberg, and was also the first person i saw in one hundred years. After losing your entire race, seeing another person has an effect on you..." Before Aang knew it, he was explaining what happened with the Guru. Zuko, not knowing what exactly to say, sat in deep thought for a few minutes, while Aang sat waiting anxiously.
"Have you kissed her?" He finally asked, just moment before Aang was about to break a sweat.
"Yes. Twice. The first was in the cave of two lovers. But in that situation, we thought it was our only way out; Well, Katara did anyways. I was more focused on kissing her than getting out of the cave, to be real honest..."
"How do you know that she wasn't just looking for an excuse to kiss you?" Zuko asked, almost jokingly.
"As much as I want that to be true..." Aang muttered. "What about the second time?" Zuko asked.
"Well, it was before I went to face the Fire Lord. I was talking to Katara, and one of the things running through my mind was that I could be dead in a few minutes. So, I kissed her. And I just flew off. I'm getting kind of nervous, because she hasn't said anything about it," Aang's tone swithced from anxious to dejected. Zuko nodded, listening intently.
"Aang," Zuko began "I, unlike Sokka, actually know what I'm talking about when it comes to girls. First, I want to tell you that Katara is absolutely nuts about you. As upsetting of an example as this is, it's one of the best ones. The look in her eyes when i would hit you is not that of a friend who is worried about another friend, it was more of one that a person gives another when the person they are in love with had been killed. And when Azula struck you in Ba Sing Se, and there was that dark moment where the world thought you were dead, she looked like a part of her had died, too. In the little time that I have been here, I noticed that she stares at you when you aren't looking, you stare at her when she's not looking, and occasionally, you stare at each other at the same time and it seems like you don't even notice that you are both looking at the same time, or even if anything else exists, for that matter. And second, when there is someone out there that you are truly in love with, don't let the opportunity pass you by. You shouldn't be afraid of it. Even after the harshest storms, skies of blue always follow. So, a cliche problem calls for a cliche answer: Tell her. Tell her everything you just told me. She won't be the slightest freaked out, because i promise you, she feels the same."
After that long reply, all Aang could think to say was, "...really? You really noticed all of that?"
Zuko nodded, "That, and she pretty much threatened to kill me yesterday if I tried to hurt you in anyway, which I still have no intentions of doing..."
Aangs eyes grew wide, "...wow..."
"So, Aang, I'm not saying that you should tell her right this moment, but you should talk to her about that kiss, at least. Ask her whats on her mind, and let her know that you will always be there to listen," Zuko stood, "In fact, that's what I want you to accomplish by our next practice tomorrow."
"Okay, but no pressure..." Aang stood as well, "You do realize what i just told you, right? Everything? You didn't take too many of my air blasts to the head?"
Zuko glared, "Yes, I heard you, loud and clear, and I promise you, that's the best thing to do"
Aang sighed, "Alright... Thanks Zuko...I guess..." Practice was dismissed until tomorrow, and before Aang left the practice room, he took one more shot at the fire blast, and this time, the flame was much larger. "I think I'd rather jerk- bend..."
OK! That's it! R&R por favor (please)! Next chapter up soon! Don't forget to review, or the flames of hell shall devour your soul for all eternity...