A/N: Hello all, been a while eh? Well I'm sorry about that. But I hope you enjoy the new chapter! It's a bit longer than usual so I hope that'll make up for the waiting! On with the show! Please review what you think! I know it sounds like a cliche, but when I know I have a good crop of readers waiting for the next chapter I tent to get on that faster...

Chapter 4: New Experience

As the first few rays of sun entered the room, Zuko's eyes popped open on their own accord, just as they did every day. But unlike most days, the Fire Bender felt more exhausted now than when he had gone to bed.

After his little meeting with Katara, Zuko had tossed and turned all night. His brain fired dream after crazy dream at him as it tried to make sense of all the strange happenings that had taken place in the past twenty-four hours.

He rubbed his scarred eye with the heel of his left palm, trying to will himself awake. Today was an important day, and he couldn't be half asleep for it….

Getting out of bed, he realized he had fallen asleep in his clothes. He rose sluggishly and began to rummage through his pack for a new undershirt, when he heard a light knock at the wooden door of his new, temporary room.

Zuko's stomach dropped at the thought of it being Katara. He wasn't sure he could deal with her again this soon, at least not until he got something in his stomach.

"Who is it?"

"It's me!"

Zuko's stomach dropped again, but this time the feeling of dread was replaced with something nicer. He crossed the room and opened the door to the bright-eyed young Air Bender.

"Good Morning, Sifu! Did you sleep well?"

Zuko smiled back at the Avatar, "Good Morning, Aang. Yes, I slept great."

Aang skirted past Zuko and entered the room, something that he never would have allowed to happen in the past without a screaming match commencing. When Zuko had first been banished, a guard had foolishly come into his room to deliver his evening meal without first receiving royal consent. The young prince had challenged him to an Agni Kai on the spot. It look Iroh almost an hour to convince him to call off the fight…

But now, and with Aang, Zuko couldn't imagine saying even a word of protest. It was so strange, the power this young monk seemed to have over him.

"I see you're already up and dressed, you must be an early riser too."

Zuko looked down at his clothes, "Um actually, I slept in these. I wore this yesterday."

Aang chuckled, "Oh, sorry! I didn't wake you up did I?"

"No, actually you have good timing, I was just about to change anyway."

"Sounds good! Then we can grab some breakfast!"

Silence passed between the two – Zuko waited for Aang to make a move to leave the room so that he could change. But he didn't move. He just stood there with that adorable smile plastered on his face.

"So I, guess I'll..change then."

"Yeah hurry up, I'm starving!"

Again, Aang made no motion to leave, or even turn away.

Zuko scratched his neck nervously, not wanting the Avatar to see how awkward this was for him, "I can meet you there, if you want."

"No it's okay, I'll wait for you Sifu Hotman. Just get on with it, I'm gonna' pass out if you don't speed it up!"

Zuko sort of wished he would, at least his eyes would be closed for a bit. But somehow he didn't have the resolve to kick him out of the room. After all, Aang was being hospitable enough even letting him have a room in the sacred Air Temple.

Not knowing what else to say and concerned that if he didn't move Aang would realize how uncomfortable he felt, Zuko went back to his pack of possessions and pulled out a change of clothes. Aang plopped down on the bed.

The outer layers were fine to wear again - he figured they'd just be training all day so there was no use in having them be squeaky clean. He pulled out a new undershirt and a change of briefs. That was it: just two pieces of clothing. Maybe if he was fast, he could get through this without it getting embarrassing…

He took a deep breath, Okay Zuko, you can do this. He's so innocent, it's not like he's going to think anything…

Zuko slipped the top part of his robe down to his waist. Then he began to pull his undershirt up and over his head…

"Wooo Zuko! Take it off!"

Zuko nearly fell over in shock. Did that seriously come from the sweet little Avatar! He shot around on his heel, pulling his undershirt back down with him.

"Aang!"

The look on Aang's face had changed from pure innocence to the definition of mischief. One eyebrow raised, a cocky grin on his face…

"I'm just messing with you, Sifu! Don't be so nervous, I was raised with all boys, this stuff doesn't phase me at all!"

"Well good for you, but I didn't exactly have a bunch of brothers I shared a room with growing up!"

Aang's smirk got a little less smirky, but just a little. "Alright look, I'm closing my eyes."

Aang closed his eyes and waited for Zuko to go back to changing. He did not.

"Okay sheesh!" Aang covered his eyes with his hands, "See look, I can't see you now Zuko, you can change you clothes worry free."

Zuko felt himself growing angry at how calm the younger boy was about the situation and how flustered he was becoming, "I don't care about you seeing me without a shirt but I have to change my underwear too!"

Zuko turned back around and in one swift movement, pulled his undershirt off, completely aware of how unmanly his little outburst just was.

He heard Aang trying to stifle a laugh behind him, and he felt a blush creeping over his body.

He quickly pulled the clean shirt on and made his way to pulling down his slept in briefs. Aang's laughter could no longer be held in as he heard the normally smooth Zuko's sporadic and nervous movements, he began to chuckle behind his hands.

Zuko's anger and embarrassment were getting the best of him. He turned around once more, facing the Avatar, "Listen you might think this is funny. But excuse me for trying to maintain some decency around here for you! You're just a kid, I'm not going to start stripping in front of you!"

Aang immediately stopped laughing, eyes still covered behind his hands, "I'm not much younger than you, Zuko. If I'm a kid, so are you."

Zuko sighed, not able to see Aang's face but based on the ceased laughter, he could guess he had upset him.

"That's not what I meant…"

"Then what did you mean?"

Zuko pulled his clean briefs on with a sigh - he couldn't let Aang be upset. Especially before he began training in Fire Bending. He took a few steps closer and silently sat in front of him, cross-legged on the floor.

"I just meant, you seem like such an innocent guy. I wouldn't want to do something to ruin that."

Aang spoke up, still from behind his hands. Zuko supposed he should tell him he was done changing, but it seemed easier to have this conversation without having to look him directly in the eye.

"I'm not that innocent, I'm the Avatar! I've seen more crazy things in the past three months than most people will in fifty years, maybe even longer!"

Aang was beginning to get so upset his voice was cracking.

"I know, that's not what I.."

"AND I'm the last of my people! AND I have to save the world from the Fire Lord's tyranny! AND!"

Zuko silenced Aang by suddenly wrapping his arms around his torso, now raised on his knees and positioned between the Avatar's legs. He embraced the Air Bender tightly, that feeling of wanting to protect him now stronger than ever.

He realized what a mistake he had made by saying that word, "kid". How could he ever call Aang a kid? He had lost the luxury of being one a long time ago…

"I'm sorry Aang, you're not a kid. You're a young man and a hero and you deserve to be treated like one. I'm so sorry."

Aang had frozen, and Zuko realized he still had his hands covering his face, "You can open your eyes now, I'm dressed."

Aang still didn't move, he remained silent.

"Aang?"

Still no response. Zuko unwrapped his arms and gently removed the Avatar's hands from his face. What he saw broke his heart.

Aang had started crying, very lightly but he could still see where the three individual streaks were traced down his cheeks.

Zuko whispered gently now, "Oh no…Aang. I'm so sorry. I was just embarrassed, I didn't mean to hurt you.."

Aang stopped Zuko's apology before it could continue, "No I'm sorry, I shouldn't have laughed at you. And look at me, you're right about the kid thing. Only a kid would cry about something so.."

"No! Don't talk like that! Crying doesn't make you a kid. I saw my uncle cry on several occasions during our travels and he is the wisest and strongest man I know!"

Aang stopped, shocked at Zuko's outburst. He suddenly realized their current positioning, with Zuko between his legs and wearing nothing but his undergarments. He felt like he had just woken up from a dream. When had Zuko moved himself so…close?

"Aang, I don't want you to ever feel weak, or that you have to constantly be strong. The first lesson of being a Fire Bender is to control your emotions. But you won't be able to control them if you don't accept and make peace with them."

Aang responded softly, "I can't be upset, especially in front of the others. I have a duty as the Avatar to.."

"Forget all that! You may be the Avatar but you're still Aang…so if you feel like you need to keep a brave face in front of the world, then at least let it break down when you're with me."

Aang was taken aback, "R..really, Zuko? You'd do that for me?"

"Of course. You don't have to make everything seem okay to me Aang, I've seen the world at its worse. The fire lord is my father for Spirits' sake, there's really no need to sugar coat anything."

As if struck with realization, Aang slowly reached out a hand and gingerly touched the scar on Zuko's eye, yet another thing the prince would never have allowed in the past. He started at the strange sensation, but then relaxed.

"Did he give this to you?"

Zuko closed his eye as Aang lightly ran his fingers over it, "Yes."

Aang thought on this a moment, "He's a monster…how could he do this, to his own son..."

Zuko knew it was a rhetorical question but he couldn't even respond with a sound of agreement. The feeling of Aang's finger tips gracing his face was so foreign and intriguing that it put him in some sort of trance.

"When I fight the fire lord I'll remember this. I think it'll give me the strength to fight as hard as I possibly can."

"Mmm hmm…"

Aang smiled, realizing what his touch was doing to the Fire Bender. He bent forward to whisper something into his scarred ear. Zuko could hear out of the ear, but now as well as with the other one. And whatever Aang was saying was already so quiet he couldn't make it out.

Without thinking he jerked his head towards where the Air Bender was speaking, "Wha..?"

Zuko was silenced as his lips met with Aang's.

For a moment he didn't know what to do. His mind seemed to race with a thousand questions but remain numb at the same time. Clearly this was an accident, but Aang didn't seem to be moving.

Zuko willed his fuzzy brain to move, to pull his body away and end this situation before an accident turned into something that made both of them uncomfortable to ever be near each other again.

Spirits Zuko! Move! Back away from the Avatar!

Just as his brain was beginning to come back to consciousness, Zuko was shocked back into that thrilling numbness…

Because Aang was…kissing him? On purpose?

For a second he wasn't certain. But sure enough, the Air Bender seemed to be moving his lips around his. His breath seemed smooth and calm but each one carried the weight of some deep need Zuko could never have imagined coming from Aang.

He could smell Aang's strangely minty scent; feel the skin of his smooth lips brushing against his, his ears seemed to have picked up heightened abilities because every tiny sound that resonated from the Air Bender's throat seemed to echo through his very being.

Zuko was in such a state of shock that he didn't realize that a bit had time had passed and Aang was not being reciprocated.

But he didn't get the chance to react…

"Aang, are you in there?"

Zuko pushed himself away from Aang with lightning fast reflexes. Aang stared at him, bewildered, with one perfectly arched eyebrow.

The two locked eyes for a moment. Then Aang turned his head towards the door, "Yeah Sokka, I was just waking Zuko up!"

That's certainly an understatement…

"Katara says everyone needs to come eat breakfast before it gets cold."

Aang turned back to Zuko with a smirk, pointing over his shoulder at the door "More like before he eats it all first."

"Hey I heard that!"

Zuko was dumbfounded - from what had just happened moments ago, and by the fact that now Aang seemed so casual about it.

The two heard Sokka's footsteps lighten as he walked towards camp. Aang directed his attention back to Zuko.

The Fire Bender prepared himself for an awkward conversation of "pretending it didn't happen". But surprisingly…

"So we just kissed. How does that make you feel?"

Zuko's face lit up like a tomato. "How can you be so nonchalant about it, Aang!"

Aang smirked once more, "Why not?"

That dang smirk, Zuko was beginning to get fired up with frustration again, "Because, I don't know….personally I don't go around just kissing people like it's no big deal!"

"I never said it wasn't a big deal…"

Zuko gave up. There was no logic with this guy. He ran a hand through his thick black hair and tilted his head back with exasperation, "Spirits, Aang…what in the world goes through that arrowed headed skull of yours?"

"You were the one hugging me and getting all mushy."

"You were upset because of me, what was I supposed to do?"

Aang smirked again, "Well it was awfully sweet, Zuko."

Is he toying with me?

Zuko stood up and walked past Aang, "We'd better go before Katara gets suspicious…"

"Katara? What would she be suspicious of?"

Zuko forgot, Aang had no idea about their little rendezvous last night.

"She can't stand me, remember? The last thing I want to do is make her upset over something as little as being late to breakfast."

Aang's smirk turned into a simple smile, "Don't worry so much, Zuko. Like I said, she'll come around. I'll take the blame, I'll just say I'm the one that made you late."

Something tells me that wouldn't help …

Zuko had his hand on the handle of the door. But he knew what he'd have to do before he opened it. He was a Fire Bender, and if he didn't get his emotions in line he wouldn't be able to teach. He needed some sort of an answer to what was going on…

He took a deep breath, "Alright Aang, all jokes aside, what's with you kissing me?"

Aang thought about it, cocky grin not making an appearance this time, "I guess it just felt right. I didn't really plan for it to happen. You just turned your head and, bam!"

It was true. That was exactly how it happened. Something still didn't sit right with Zuko though…

"Aang have you…always been interested in, you know, guys? To be honest I thought you had a thing for Katara."

"Well, I did, and sometimes I still do to tell you the truth. I don't think she really feels the same way though. But I guess I've never really thought of it as being attracted to men versus women because…well, I'm the Avatar. I've been both!"

Zuko hadn't looked at it that way, but it certainly made sense. He finally opened the door his hand had been resting on.

"I'm sorry if I um…crossed your boundaries Zuko. Like I said it sort of just, happened."

Now it was Aang's turn to look embarrassed. But Zuko wasn't sure what to say. Had he crossed his boundaries? Did he mind? Did he like it?

"Don't worry about it, Aang."

As soon as the words left Zuko's mouth he regretted them, because they weren't enough. And suddenly he knew the answer. It hit him like a brick.

As Aang smiled back at him affectionately and walked through the open door towards the smell of frying meats and vegetables, Zuko felt like the truth was settling through his veins.

He did like it. Spirits help him he did, and he didn't have the excuse of being the Avatar to fall back on.

As the truth settled down into him, it felt like a strange mixture of excitement of relief. It was intoxicating. Suddenly a thought dawned on him,

"Hey Aang, what were you trying to whisper to me?"

But the Avatar was already too far away to hear…


A/N - Did I fool you? Did you think there was going to be Fire Bending in this chapter? Well I hope the mushy Zuko/Aang lurve made up for that! Please review and let me know what you think! I mentioned this at the top, but when I know a good amount of people are waiting on a new chapter I'll usually get on it quicker. Thanks for reading ya'll!