Hey, Stranger
By: Karasu Kyra
Chapter Two
Zuko winced as light attacked his eyes making his head hurt worse than it already did. In turn, he squeezed his eyes shut. He stretched his stiff body, still not ready to get up.
Suddenly, a cheery voice greeted him, making him pry his eyes open. "Mornin', sleepin' beauty."
"Aang. Why-" 'are you in my house?' was supposed to follow those words, but "am I naked?" is what came out.
"You, Zuko, started taking your clothes off the second you got into my truck. You wouldn't listen to me when I told you to put them back on and I was driving. So-o, I just let you do as you pleased and directed you to my couch where you crashed last night." Aang smirked.
"Oh," Zuko said stupidly.
"Yup."
"What happened last night?"
"You don't remember?"
"No."
"Well…" Aang chuckled, waving a disc around. "It was all video-taped!"
Zuko groaned. "Oh, God."
"At least you don't have school this morning," Aang reminded the hung-over young man.
"Why are you so…alive?" Zuko asked, off topic. His head was pounding, and his stomach was doing a fantastic impression of a Tilt-a-Whorl.
"I didn't drink nearly as much as you did."
"Uh-huh…"
Zuko blinked. He couldn't remember anything past dragging Aang to the dance floor and starting to dance. Hmm... That could prove to be an inconvenience. He then decided that it didn't matter, rolled over and ignored the world.
Then, someone was prodding his side. He growled. "Aang, you'd better have a good reason for bugging me."
"Well…. Not really!" Aang grinned and continued his prodding.
Zuko, growing increasingly agitated, swatted the offending hand away several times before rolling over and facing the brunette.
" Aang," Zuko asked with mock sincerity, "be a dear, and leave me to die in peace!"
"Fine, ass. I'll see 'His Highness' when he's a little less grumpy!" Aang shot back, exiting the living room.
Zuko groaned and rolled over, again.
0o0o0o0
Aang moaned, staring at the ceiling and hoping it would give him the answer to his boredom. The kitchen walls just weren't cutting anymore, and the ceiling was even less helpful than those damned automated telephone services he so loathed.
Then, an image of coffee popped into his head. He walked over to his coffeepot and emptied the used filter into the garbage. He then opened his nearest cupboard in search of the coffee grounds.
Finding none, he frowned and moved to the next cupboard. He could have sworn that there were some the other day…. Oh, well, he'd just have to go get some coffee, then, wouldn't he?
He smiled happily and searched out a scrap of paper and a pen. He wrote a quick note to Zuko, stating that he was picking up coffee and not to worry if he wasn't back when he woke up. Not like Zuko would worry…
He put the end of the pen in his mouth, chewing lightly, rereading his note and then adding, P.S. - If you're bored, watch the movie! Oh, yeah, and make yourself at home!
Satisfied with his note, he put it on the low coffee table next to the lightly snoring Zuko and made his way to his truck. He drove to his favorite coffee shop, listening to a soft country song.
0o0o0o0
The door opened with a jingle as Aang pushed his way inside, toward the counter. Katara smiled at him softly. "I didn't expect you on a weekend," she commented idly.
"Mm, I'm out of coffee," the brunette boy stated tragically.
"Out of coffee? And you had to come here? What is world coming to?" Sokka's voice drifted from the back, before the young man himself appeared wearing a grin. "Long time, no see, Aang!"
Aang matched his grin and said, "I'm sorry some of us have a life! When was the last time you went on a date?"
"Hey, hey!" defended Sokka. "I am a lady-killer."
The brunette customer snorted, leaning against the counter. "Sure you are and so am I!"
"Sorry, Aang. I know you can't resist my sexy body, but I ain't gay!" Sokka ran his hands down his chest for emphasis on 'sexy body'.
"Pfft!"
"Anyway-!" cut in Katara. "What would you like to order? You're scaring my customers."
"Heh, sorry, Katara. Uhm, just two coffees. I got creamer and stuff at home."
Katara raised an eyebrow at Aang, with one of those knowing smirks that the brunette knew offered trouble. Aang half-smiled sheepishly back at her, while listening to the woman's reply of, "Two, again? What's goin' on?"
"I picked up a stray dog." Aang grinned.
Katara shook her head. She glanced down at the cash register and rang her friend up for two coffees. She turned around just as Sokka brought them to the front.
Aang took them and said his good-bye's, leaving the coffee shop.
The ride home was peaceful and silent. That was why it startled him to hear yelling coming from his own home. Was Zuko so bothered he was taking his aggression out on the couch? Aang sure hoped not.
He walked up to the door, coffees in hand. He set one down and opened the door. A man and Zuko were standing there.
The man rounded on Aang. "You faggot! What are you doing to my son?"
" He's not doing anything! I'm no son of yours, anyway, remember? Get the fuck out! You're trespassing on private property!" Zuko growled back.
"It isn't your property to kick me off of."
Aang stepped forward his brows knitted together. He raised his voice and said, "If Zuko wants you out, I suggest you leave before I call the police."
"Fine! I don't wanna be near a bunch of faggots, anyway."
The long, brunette-haired man stomped his way out of the house, roughly pushing Aang aside.
Aang stood shocked for a moment before reaching down and grabbing the coffee that, surprisingly, hadn't been knocked over. He mechanically walked inside, handing a coffee off to Zuko.
The older boy followed the younger into the kitchen where he leaned against the counter and stared at the floor for awhile before looking at Zuko.
"So, good morning?" he said with a grin pinned on to the end.
Zuko glared at him. "Yeah, and falling on cacti have become a favorite pass time of today's kindergartners."
Aang snorted. "Exactly! So-o…who was that?"
"That would be Daddy-dearest." The way Zuko said his name—coupled with the earlier encounter-left Aang with an impression of the sort of man 'Daddy-dearest' was.
"Oh. Nice man."
"Yeah."
"Why was he here?"
"Hell if I know. He's been in jail for the past seven years. I got a letter a week ago stating that he'd been let out on good behavior."
"If that was an example of good behavior, I'll double my opinion on the corruption of our legal system."
"Aang..."
"Huh?"
"That sounded smart!" Zuko was reduced to peals of laughter. Aang thought he had a nice laugh, and smile. There was a certain light dancing in his golden eyes that made Aang's heart beat faster.
"I am smart!"
"Su-ure, you are."
They fell into a silence, both idly sipping their coffees. Aang grimaced at the taste of black coffee but ignored it. He didn't want to ruin this moment—whatever it was.
That lead him to think; where did Zuko's father calling them both faggots come from? Surely he wouldn't have just said it. And that would mean...
Aang reviewed the sensual dancing last night, and how comfortable Zuko had seemed dancing—more like grinding—with another man. It fit when Aang looked at the big picture. He was surprised he hadn't noticed sooner.
Aang took another sip of coffee before looking at Zuko squarely. "Why didn't you tell me you were gay?"
Zuko didn't look surprised he knew. "I don't exactly make a habit of telling everyone I meet. Some people don't like that sort of thing."
"I wouldn't have—I don't—mind. Minding would make me a hypocrite. I would have preferred finding out from you, though."
"Well, I didn't exactly ask my father to show up!" Zuko bit out angrily. "I'd prefer the asshole never come near me again! The same applies to my sister!"
Aang took another sip of his coffee. "Why?"
"My father—he—and my sister..." Zuko took a deep breath. "They abused me. Mentally, physically." The older boy choked out a short laugh. "What is it about you? That makes me want to tell you my life story? That makes me want to trust you? I haven't been close to anyone in—years. And yet, that is what I long to do with you."
Aang smiled. "Perhaps you know that answer to that? You're far from stupid, and neither am I."
Zuko shifted his weight and took a sip of coffee. "Do you mind?"
"No. Especially since I feel the same."
They stared at each other for a few moments before the coffees were set aside, forgotten. They came together in a rush, lips meeting lips and arms encircling one another.
After a few moments, they pulled away from each other panting, lust evident in their eyes.
After catching their breath, and calming their racing hearts, Zuko looked nervous again. "What would you think about starting a relationship?"
"You could just say dating." Aang smirked.
Zuko scowled.
Aang continued, "But, yes, I would love to try dating, stranger."
They smiled and kissed again, fiercely, before disappearing into the bedroom.
AN: Tell me what you guys want out of this story. :] I'm sorry for the delay. Long story, but I'm now catching up on all my older stuff. :D I also apologize for the poor quality of the first chapter. I hope this chapter makes up for it.