Fate is Funny

Fate is a Funny Thing

Another day, another boring diplomatic meeting that Aang had to endure. Over the last few weeks, Aang had been growing increasingly impatient with these old diplomats and generals.

They couldn't come to agreement on anything, the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe representatives were demanding war reparations, however both Zuko and Aang had refused, so negotiations had come to a deadlock.

Aang was so frustrated with them; reparations only increased the resentment between nations. Destroying the Fire Nation economy and impoverishing the Fire Nation citizens was not the way to gain their trust. It would only fuel the hatred.

However, the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe representatives (besides Hakoda and Bhumi) seemed to have the need to punish the Fire Nation people for the previous Fire Lords' mistakes. It took every ounce of control Aang had to not start yelling at them and their stubbornness.

He sat down in his seat at the end of the table, taking a deep breath to calm himself. Aang knew he would need it for the next few hours.

Zuko walked in the conference room just as he usually did. Sometimes Aang wondered if he was the only other rational person in here, either way, Aang was grateful that he was firelord and that he didn't have to cope with these politicians on his own.

The two looked each other and exchanged a friendly smile before Zuko sat down to the right of him, representing the Fire Nation. To the left of Aang sat Hakoda representing the Southern Water Tribe.

Also present were King Bhumi representing Omashu, the Generals of the Council of Five for Ba- Sing- Se (as the Earth King was still exploring the world). Chief Uruk from the Northern Water Tribe was present, as well as various other important generals and nobles from the three nations to represent important factions within the nations.

If Aang had had his way, the only people here would be Zuko, Hakoda, Bhumi, and him, one for each of the nations. However, everybody else wanted a piece of the pie and Aang was left with little way to refuse the many prominent figures who had demanded to be present.

Soon, the other delegates filed into the room, many of them were striding arrogantly. One by one, they sat in their seats, most of them assuming stiffly strait poses which made them seem all the more arrogant.

The last person to enter the room was an old and very stubborn Earth Kingdom general, General Quing. Aang had a special dislike for him; he had suggested a complete end to the Fire Nation on his first meeting. Aang had smashed that motion down immediately, despite the protest of about half the conference room.

In response to these protests Aang had said "I don't care if every single person in this room agrees to this proposal, I will not allow this to pass". His tone had left no room for argument. Since then, Quing had proposed all of the harshest consequent resolutions, all of which were stopped by Aang.

As he sat down, Aang wondered what unfair proposal he would suggest next, he was startled out of his thoughts by a loud crash. The chair that Quing had just sat on collapsed under his weight. Aang had to suppress a laugh as the general stood up, humiliated.

The man shook in fury. "You!" He shouted, jabbing a finger in Zuko's direction. "You did this!" Aang turned his head to the new Fire Lord. There was no question about it, Zuko looked extremely guilty.

Aang did the only thing he could think of, he stood up. "General, I think you'll find that I was the one who pulled this prank" Aang stated simply, a smile tugging at his lips. The general stared at him in shock. He wasn't the only one though, Zuko was too.

Aang held Quing's stare until Quing started to speak "If I didn't know better, I'd say that you actually support this violent warmonger" he said disdainfully. This sent Aang over the edge.

He glared at the man furiously, "Fire Lord Zuko has played a crucial part in ending this war; he is my fire bending teacher and most importantly, a great friend. Be assured that any insults on his character I'll take personally" Aang replied fiercely.

Quing was speechless, his face turned pale as he sat down on the spare chair that servants had brought him. He didn't speak for the rest of the meeting.

After the meeting was over, Zuko and Aang exited the room together. They walked on for a few minutes until Aang was sure they were out of earshot. Then Aang and Zuko laughed loudly.

"That was great!" Aang said to him after their laughter subsided. "I guess it wasn't really a good time to start playing pranks" Zuko chuckled. "Yeah, although it did shut that guy up for the day" Aang remarked happily. "That's a big plus"

They walked on for a few more minutes, talking and laughing. Then Zuko grabbed his shoulder, stopping them both. "Hey… did you really mean what you said back there?" He asked hesitantly.

"Said what?" Aang replied, clueless. "What you said about us being friends" Zuko said slowly, almost reluctantly. Aang looked up at Zuko seriously "Of course I meant that Zuko" Aang answered "We are friends". They started walking again, although now Zuko couldn't suppress as smile.

They walked in comfortable silence for a few seconds before they came to where they had to separate. "Oh, Aang" Zuko said warmly, Aang turned around to face Zuko. "Thanks"

A/N: Well I've been waiting since the Blue Spirit for Aang and Zuko to become friends, and I really like when they hugged in the finale, so I'll do quite a few fics about them bonding. Next chapter will be Maiko.

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