I have returned! I am so sorry for how long it has been since I've updated. Anyways, I am continuing this story and hope to update at least every few weeks until it is finished! I am also planning a drabble series (Zukaang, of course!) too. So this chapter takes place during the Western Air Temple episode. I know I've skipped a lot since the last chapter, but the point of this story is the interaction between Aang and Zuko, so I wanted to move to that point. I'm sure we've all seen the episodes and know what happens up until this point. Well, enough of this! On with the story!
Disclaimer:If I owned Avatar, everyone would have killed me for taking so long with this...
Zuko's POV
I had never expected them to say yes. I must have truly been their last resort for Aang's firebending teacher. The Water tribe boy had shown me to a room in the temple, and Katara had already come by and threatened to kill me if it even looked like I was going to make another mistake. I wanted to find Aang and talk to her, apologize, tell her I would help raise the child we had created. I could tell that it was almost time for it to be born; her swollen stomach didn't look right on her small frame. I didn't know how she was going to be able to fight my father in her condition. What had I done to this girl's life?
I was already set on skipping dinner rather than having to face the group, when I heard footsteps outside my room and the door flew open. At first I was sure it was Katara, and that she had decided to kill me before I even had the chance to make another mistake. I looked up and saw that it was the blind earthbender whose feet I had burned. Toph, I believe her name was.
"Hey, Sparky, you coming to dinner or are you just going to sit in here and sulk?"
"Sparky? Actually, my name is Zuko." She was obviously a little confused.
"Ha, yeah, I know. I give everyone in the group a nickname though. Katara's Sugar Queen, Sokka is Snoozles, Aang is Twinkletoes. And you're Sparky."
I could tell by the way she said it that there would be no argument.
"So, are you coming to dinner? You don't want to give Katara the satisfaction of watching you starve to death, do you?"
I stood up reluctantly. It had been a while since I had eaten, so I was pretty hungry. "Fine, I'm coming."
Toph smirked. "Don't worry, I won't let them kill you."
Aang's POV
I was on my second bowl of soup when Toph came back, Zuko lagging behind her. I tried to stay focused on eating. It was inevitable that I would have to talk and interact with him eventually, when he started teaching me, but I wasn't ready to be friendly just yet.
He sat down by Toph and Katara thrust a bowl of soup at him viciously. It sloshed out of the bowl and onto his hand, and he winced slightly at the heat.
"Thank you, Katara."
I was surprised he was able to be polite. The rest of the evening passed slowly. Sokka talked about battle plans, Toph chiming in with her opinions. Katara ate quietly, keeping a wary eye on Zuko.
Eventually, people started to disperse for the night. The Duke, Haru, and Teo went off to explore a little more. Sokka grabbed his sleeping bag and Toph made an earth tent. Katara laid out her sleeping bag as well, but she came over to me before crawling into it.
"Where are you planning on sleeping tonight, Aang?" I could tell she was concerned about Zuko possibly kidnapping me during the night. I was a little afraid of that myself.
"With Appa, like always."
She nodded, seemingly satisfied with that. I guess she figured a giant bison would be able to protect me.
"Ok, hun, good night. Come wake me up if you need anything." She gave me a hug and patted my swollen stomach before walking over to her sleeping bag.
I sighed. I was tired, but I didn't know if I would be able to sleep very well tonight after everything that had happened today. I looked into the fire. Someone cleared their throat and I looked up. My eyes widened; everyone had left except for Zuko and I. I pushed myself to my feet, not wanting to be alone with him.
"Aang, wait… can we talk?" He looked up at me, his eyes pleading.
I didn't answer, but I stayed where I was, giving him a chance to say what he wanted to. He stared at my stomach, a mixture of emotions moving across his face. I put my hands over my belly subconsciously.
"It is mine, isn't it." It wasn't a question; I could tell he knew the answer, but I nodded anyways.
He stood up suddenly and rushed towards me. Fear rose in me and I tried to back up, but stumbled. I felt myself falling backwards.
Zuko's POV
I caught her just as she airbended a cushion behind her, propelling her forward. She ended up falling into my arms and knocking me backwards. We both crashed to the ground. Luckily, I cushioned her fall. She got off of me immediately, coming to an awkward seat on the ground.
"What are you trying to do?" I had clearly scared her and made her angry. Wow, so much for trying to be her friend again.
"I'm sorry, I was just…" I had actually been trying to hug her. I decided maybe I should just try again; she was sitting now, so it would surely be easier. I moved slower this time, and she watched me as I inched closer, her face suspicious. I lifted my arms at the last moment and threw them around her before she had a chance to scoot away.
"Oh, um, ok." She sat stiffly.
"I thought Azula had killed you… both of you. I'm so sorry…" I tried to keep my emotions under control, but I could hear myself getting choked up.
She pushed me away suddenly. "She did! Well, me anyways. It's only thanks to Katara that I'm here right now. She brought me back. If you hadn't fought against us-" She stopped suddenly. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't argue with you." Her voice was quiet, resigned.
I wanted to hug her again. It seemed like after all I had done, she had still been able to forgive me. "Aang, about the baby… I want to help raise him. Or her. I know it might be hard for you to trust me, and that's completely understandable, but it's my child too."
She looked down at her stomach and didn't respond for several minutes. When she finally did, her voice was like ice. "You may be part of our group now, but don't think that makes everything ok between us. You've done a pretty lousy job of helping me with this baby so far. As far as I'm concerned, you haven't even earned the right to be called its father. Maybe that'll change, and maybe it won't. For right now, the only thing you are to me is my teacher." She stood up and walked away before I had a chance to reply.
It looked like I was going to have to work pretty hard to get back into her good graces. After all this time, I still loved her, but it looked like the love she had once had for me was completely gone.
