A/N: Credit for me actually getting this chapter edited goes to my Duck. With out her kicking my butt in gear, I'd be lost.
Zuko sat in a chair that faced the over sized bed. He watched as Aang lovingly packed away his monk clothes. The tender way the monk folded and held them told Zuko that the monk must love them dearly. He tried to keep from watching too closely, feeling he might possibly start drooling if he did. He felt sympathy for the big bad wolf. Little white sheep certainly looked good enough to eat.
In an attempt to distract himself, Zuko once again brought out the envelope that had all of Aang's information in it. He found the page about expenses. He pulled it out and found the card taped to the page. It was pretty standard procedure that they had a major account set up with cards for clients. They kept close tabs to the amount so they knew how much to charge, however, Aang's card was different from what he was used to. Mai left a note stating that it was sent as a personal account for Aang to use as he pleased. Zuko shook his head once again thinking on the doting elder that was footing the bill.
"I have a card here for you to use. It states that you know how much is on it and how to use it," Zuko said as he made his way over to Aang.
Aang nodded without looking away from the monk's robes. Zuko couldn't stop the feeling that Aang was hiding something from him, and it made him want more information.
"Is it safe to assume that you wont go over the limit if I give this to you?"
A large grin crossed Aang's face as he looked at Zuko and said, "I don't think I could if I tried."
Zuko struggled to keep that bit of information from showing on his face, just replying, "Good."
He gave the card to Aang and watched as the monk carefully tucked it away with his ID and passport in a cargo pocket.
"I imagine you must be hungry after everything. Do you want to go out to eat?"
Aang nodded.
"Do you have any place in mind?"
Pulling out his passport again, Aang slid a folded magazine page out and handed it to Zuko. It was an ad for pizza. Zuko smiled.
"You want to go out for pizza?"
Aang nodded again excitedly.
"Anything else you know that you want to do?"
"Movie," Aang said as if tasting the strange word.
"Sounds like a great plan," Zuko said, realizing that he had a grin on his face.
Aang's eyes lit up and sparkled like a thought came to mind and he said, "Then it's a date."
Zuko found he had no desire to correct him. He simply told Aang to wait for him at the front while he went got the car.
Pulling up with his car, it was easy to see all the people in the lobby's eyes on the white clad monk. His small body was all lean muscle. Any baby fat long gone leaving only the lightly sculpted body Aang had. The blue tattoos only seemed to add so much to Aang's appearance. It gave him an exotic look. With a grin set firmly in place and eyes bright with excitement, he made a perfect image of heaven. It was ironic to him that it was such a heavenly person that made him want to sin so bad.
As Aang came towards the car, Zuko leaned over and opened the door saying, "Hey good looking. Need a ride?"
Aang laughed again in that pure delighted way he had at the fountain. Zuko felt his innards squirm, but was glad that at least his brain wasn't in his toes again. The monk climb in and closed the door carefully.
Zuko knew the perfect spot to go to just off the coast. The smell of ocean was heavy on the breeze, but so was the scent of food. He parked the car at a little pizza shop he had found a few years back. The slices were always huge and the toppings over flowing. It was a quiet place that had an open minded owner. Which meant it was one of Zuko's favorite spots. It wasn't a place he brought clients usually, but some how, it seemed like the perfect place for Aang to start. Knowing the owner as well as he did, Zuko knew the man would be happy to help.
The bell on the door chimed as they stepped through. Aang glanced around like an excited, but skittish colt. Zuko half worried that he might bolt out the door, Zuko put his hand on Aang's back to steady him.
"Are you okay," Zuko whispered to him.
"I'm fine. Fine. Just nervous. Can I?"
Zuko looked at him confused.
"Can I order for us?"
A grin passed over his face, Zuko couldn't stop it. Aang really was giving everything he had into this night. Some part of him wanted to match the monk in that. Doing something half way wasn't in him, but he felt almost compelled to try harder.
"I don't mind. I'm fine with whatever you pick out as long as it doesn't have pineapple, but I recommend you try the pepperoni."
Aang nodded and told Zuko to find a table while he ordered. Zuko picked a back booth and gave a small nod to the man at the register who watched them. The owner, who was currently taking the order, gave a large smile and nod back. It was Aang's first real chance to order, Zuko was happy it could be with such a good person. With a little help from the owner and Zuko motioning from the back, Aang managed to order a large pepperoni lovers pizza and two drinks.
Taking the drinks in hand, Aang headed back for the table. Aang had a look of sheer determination when he reached the table. Zuko's stomach squirmed as he watched the monk. Carefully, Aang set the drinks down down and then slid into the booth on the other side of Zuko. The monk scooted all the way over to him and grabbed his arm and hugged it to his chest. Zuko could feel Aang's thundering heart, he could only guess to the number of reasons why.
Aang's face flushed a bit as he said, "I did it. Thank you for all of this."
Zuko raised his free hand in mock surrender saying, "You're the one who did it. I'm just here to protect and support you."
They made small talk about the other shops in the area until their pizza came. Aang stared at it with huge eyes. The owner brought it out to their table and took in Aang's excitement and looked a bit puzzled.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this is Aang's first pizza," Zuko explained.
Aang nodded, unable to take his eyes from the giant pizza.
"You honor me Zuko. Bringing someone so fresh to my shop. To know that my pizza can be a first. It's why I stay in this business. This calls for a celebration," The owner said excitedly as he went behind the the counter. He came back a few moments later with a Polaroid camera.
Zuko had to fight not to roll his eyes. People always seemed obsessed with pictures. He should have remembered that the owner was no exception. Aang managed to pull his eyes from the pizza to look at the camera.
"Boy," The owner said gesturing him over.
Aang crawled out of the booth and made his way over to the owner with curiosity on his face. The elder man whispered something into Aang's ear that he nodded to and then kept whispering. Aang looked a bit shocked, but it quickly turned excited.
"Okay," Aang said happily and crawled back in the booth.
Curious about their exchange, Zuko turned to Aang to ask, but didn't have long to wait as the owner said, "Now."
Zuko didn't have time to prepare himself as Aang launched at him. In a moment he had his arms full of Aang. The monk had managed to get his arms wrapped around Zuko's neck while Zuko found his own wrapped tightly around the monk's waist. Their faces far too close, but just not quite close enough all at the same time. He knew his grin had to be as stupidly happy as Aang's, but he didn't care till he heard the camera go off. Not once, but three times.
"Oh come on," Zuko said disentangling himself from the monk.
He tried to look gruff and solemn, but felt from the grins the owner and monk were giving him that he looked more like a petulant child. Attempting to frown at them didn't seem to help matters.
"One for each of the love birds and one for me of my favorite customer," The owner explained handing one to both Zuko and Aang.
Aang gave a grateful thank you as he took his picture. The monk's eyes still full of mischief. Zuko nodded his thanks, but gave a small smile at the still developing picture. He had the urge to correct the owner as he the man walked towards some newly arrived customers, but he brushed it off.
The pizza sat forgotten till the pictures fully finished. The owner off working on another order that had just come in. Aang sat staring down at the forming picture. Zuko watched him. The excitement on his face far better then anything else to look at. He stole a glance at his own picture and tried to steal Aang's. He was pretty sure that not a single picture existed of him grinning like that. He was sure if the others saw it, they would think he looked like some sort of alien.
"Pizza should be cool enough to eat," Zuko pointed out.
With those words, Aang seemed to remember their goal in coming there. He watched as Zuko pulled a slice off the pizza and began to eat. Never had Zuko felt so dirty eating pizza before, but Aang's eyes and the hungry look in them told him he must. He shoved the pizza over.
"There is plenty enough. Eat up."
Awkwardly, Aang pulled a slice off and began to nibble at the edge. His eyes glazed over after the first real bite. The sheer pleasure on Aang's face as he ate made Zuko reach for his soda. He had to fight the urge to swallow the lump now stuck in his throat. Zuko was pretty sure no human should enjoy pizza that much. He considered for a moment if he could count monk as an alien life form.
Searching around for anything to distract himself, Zuko said, "Is it everything you thought it would be?"
Aang swallowed the bite he was eating and took a drink of soda before saying, "This food is amazing. My Elder, he has given me some small snacks and things. Some fizzing drinks like this, but nothing like this pizza. This is so wonderful, so much flavor and spice."
"It sounds like this Elder cares a great deal for you."
"He is like a father to me," Aang said with a smile.
The smile faltered and a blank look covered Aang's face. Zuko once again felt like Aang was hiding something from him. Zuko didn't feel quite like he had the rights to call him on it yet. He just had to hope that Aang opened up to him enough to share.
"Don't stuff yourself with pizza, I have an idea for something after we leave here," Zuko told him.
"What is that?"
"It's a surprise."
FN: What's this? There is angst and plot thrown in with my fluff!
As always, I'm highly appreciative of reviews. Anything from encouragement to get my butt in gear to telling me what you like or don't, it all helps.