Chapter 10 - Based on episode 313 "The Firebending Masters"
Author: Dragonkat
Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender belongs to the gods of creation known as Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. I'm just burrowing it all for a spell.
WC: 5,796
AN: Meh, another chapter, another step closer to the end. For once I don't have much to say…uh hi…enjoy the chapter…or try to…since that bald kid still has 'Zuko-love amnesia'…so uh…yeah (author wanders off)
IMPORTANT: NaNoWriMo has started and if you don't know what that is look at my profile and if you do know what it is you will realize I'm going to be busy for the next month. So here's the deal. I'm posting this chapter today and the next one will be posted when I get ch 12 written, whenever that may be, could be at the end of the month it could be next week, I really don't know how much NaNoWriMo is going to take up my time so I'm warning you, I will update when I can. Begging will get you no where. This story is still priority for me to finish and we're almost there, just please be patient, it would actually be very helpful and encouraging.
Warnings: Huge spoilers for the show, if you have not seen this episode don't read, because not only will I spoil it for you, you're going to be seriously lost.
The sun rose, beginning a new day, a new beginning for some. Zuko sat still and silent, watching it rise, sitting on a ledge, feet dangling into the abyss below, sweeping through the mist as he swung his legs back and forth.
He had not slept. Not this night or the one before, fearing the nightmares that would come. Although the nightmares couldn't be anything compared to the chaos that was his reality.
Aang didn't love him anymore…no that wasn't right. Aang couldn't love him anymore.
Katara had the explanation but at the end of the day all he thought about was the fact that they were reunited but he wasn't curling up against Aang's soft body and drifting off into sweet dreams, waking to a new day with the Avatar in his arms. The anguish was consuming. But somehow he needed to put it all aside. He had to train Aang in the art of fire bending, and he had to help him and his friends end this war.
Zuko ran frustrated hands through his hair, not gaining comfort from the rising of the source of his fire bending, just knowing another day had come and he needed to begin his training with the boy he loved who forgot he loved Zuko.
"Hey Zuko," a soft voice spoke up.
He glanced up warily, seeing his prison mate Suki standing behind him with two steaming mugs of tea, taking a seat next to him and staring out at the sunrise, saying nothing, just offering him a shoulder to lean on. Zuko accepted the cup of tea, staring into its depths, wishing it had the answers to his problems like his uncle always did. He sighed softly; taking a sip of the hot liquid, letting it slide into him and warm his insides. "Thanks Suki," he mumbled.
"It's nothing Zuko," she said, tipping her glass at him. "Though I'm certainly no master like your uncle."
He shook his head slowly, his body and spirit feeling so tired that every movement, every though was slowed down to a frog-snail's pace, the reality hitting him hard and leaving him without much strength to go on. "Thanks for being here for me…I know you'd much rather be spending your time with Sokka," he whispered, finishing off his cup of tea.
"Don't be stupid. You need me right now Zuko. Sokka understands that, he's the one who sent me over here in the first place," she retaliated, giving his cheek a firm pinch to snap him out of his daze.
He chuckled humorously, but appreciated her presence. It had been embarrassing when he had broken down like he had two days ago after Katara gave him the news, but it wasn't so bad because it was in front of Suki mostly, and they knew too much about each other by that point to get embarrassed around one another.
"…just make him fall in love with you again."
"What?"
Zuko's head shot up and he stared in shock at his friend, having missed most of what she said because of his drifting thoughts but that last casually uttered statement reeled him back in. Suki rolled her eyes in affection at him, patting his shoulder before turning out to stare at the morning sky, sun now fully above the horizon. "I was saying that it's awful that you have to go through this. It doesn't seem fair but…there's not much you can do except make Aang fall in love with you again."
A humorless chuckle escaped his lips and Zuko hung his head, shaking it back and forth. "No way."
"And why not? Geez you're so pessimistic."
"I don't know how he fell in love with me the first time. How am I supposed to do it again?"
Suki didn't answer, just slipped and arm around his shoulders, giving him and affectionate shake before she stood up to leave. "Just think about it Zuko. Whatever you decide to do, you at least need to get up off of your sorry butt and train Aang, that's the most important thing now," she said softly, ruffling his hair a bit and walking back to the rest of the group who had gathered around a fire for breakfast, carrying both of their tea cups.
She was right. If nothing else he needed to focus on the most important thing and that was helping Aang end the war. After that he could worry about their relationship. Right now he needed to train Aang, and Zuko had to believe he was strong enough to endure the sadness of his loss long enough to train the boy. Besides this was an opportunity to be close to Aang, for training was very intimate. And he could just put on a charming persona while he did it and maybe, just maybe they could finally get what they both wanted.
Before they had been in love but unable to be together and now they were together but not in love. Zuko smiled warily at the irony but figured it was okay, because it just meant in the end, if everything worked out and they were together, then their love would be that much stronger and that much deeper.
Zuko could endure a little heartache if it meant they would have something pure and beautiful in the end.
Aang hated how interested he was in Zuko now that the prince had joined their operation. His eyes always seem to find him where ever he was. At first he assumed he was making sure that Zuko didn't potentially steal Katara away from him, because they seemed close. But that wasn't the case at all, they acted more like friends, in fact Zuko was closer to Suki than he was to Katara and his friend Sokka seemed to have no problem with the situation.
And yet Aang still felt his eyes drawn to him.
Was it because he was going to be Aang's fire bending teacher? Was it because he still wasn't sure if Zuko had changed? Was it because every time their eyes locked his breath caught, his insides warmed and a blush came to his face? Was it because Zuko made him feel different than anyone else ever had?
Whatever the reason Aang kept his eyes on Zuko, watching his movements, waiting for…something to happen.
It was the second morning that Zuko was with them that he came to Aang and said they would start his training that day. The prince had been very tight lipped around Aang, almost avoiding him even as Aang sought him out with his gaze. But that morning he seemed different. Calmer? Determined? Resigned? Whatever the reason, Zuko had finally sought Aang out to start their training, walking off after grabbing a quick breakfast, heading towards a platform some distance from his friends.
So Aang had followed, and here he stood with Zuko. Terrified and anxious. He was finally going to learn fire bending which he had sworn off months ago, and he was also alone with Zuko. Why did that make him feel giddy, even in light of what they were about to do?
Zuko tried reassuring him, telling him fire bending wasn't something to fear if it was used properly, but that he should respect it, because otherwise he could lose control. "Now show me what you got. Any amount of fire bending you can make," Zuko said quietly, eyes soft as they stared at him before glancing away, looking uncomfortable for a moment before the prince shook his head quickly, composed himself.
Aang took a deep breath, clenching his eyes shut and twisting his hips, thrusting his hand out, but all he got for his efforts was a puff of smoke. He blushed and looked sheepishly up at his teacher before looking away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe I need a bit more instruction. Perhaps a demonstration," he murmured, looking up hopefully at his handsome instructor.
'Handsome'…where did that come from.
Instead of getting angry Zuko seemed to understand, nodding and saying it was a good idea. "You might want to take a couple steps back," the prince said before breathing deep, twisting his body and thrusting his hands out, grunting as he did so.
PUFF.
Aang wanted to laugh, he really did. Maybe Zuko was playing a joke because…that was some pretty wimpy fire bending. Maybe the prince was showing him that it was okay to have weak fire and that it wasn't that big of a deal.
"What was that? That was the worst fire bending I've ever seen," Zuko murmured to himself and Aang had the distinct impression that hadn't been a joke to cheer him up.
"I thought it was…nice," he offered, a little worried himself now but trying to stay positive.
Zuko spun and turned, trying to bend again and again but getting the same result. The prince was mad now, and Aang didn't like that. "Why is this happening," Zuko asked angrily staring down at his hands.
Aang looked at his hands too.
His hands were calloused and rough, shaking a bit as they traced Aang's chest, but not stopping in their journey. Those pale hands dipped lower, causing his breath to catch as those questing fingers brushed past his bellybutton and skimmed lower.
He blushed hard, shaking his head a bit as the dreamy memory disappeared as fast as it had come, the scar on his back throbbing a bit until settling. Thoughts of what that dream had meant left him and he looked at his teacher again. "Maybe it's the altitude," Aang suggested, hoping to cheer Zuko up.
Because the alternative was to realize that Zuko couldn't fire bend anymore, which meant Aang wouldn't have a teacher.
This was beyond unfair in Zuko's eyes. First he looses Aang and now he's lost his fire bending. Things couldn't get much worst…actually he shouldn't think that way because if he did, Azula would probably show up and kill everybody or his father would burn down the world or something equally terrible…so Zuko wouldn't think that things could get much worst, because they usually did. Still, this situation was really bad. If he couldn't get his fire bending back then he'd be of no use to Aang anymore and then where would that leave him? With no way of winning back the boy he loved, that's where.
Night had fallen and Zuko stood off from the group, leaning against Appa's side, threading his fingers through the bison's soft fur. He had tried for the entire day, going back to basics, not doing any move that was too complicated but all it got him was sparks and smoke, no fire. It was gone…and he had a sinking suspicion he knew why.
Fire bending was more connected to the emotions its master was feeling, more so than any other of the elements. It was why his people were so passionate, hating and loving with everything they had in them. A fire bender's fire reflected how they were feeling, so the more depressed and sad one was the weaker the fire was, and the angrier or more elated a fire bender was the stronger their fire was. And of course, those whose fire was driven by anger was different from those whose fire was driven by purer feelings. There was a rumor that a heartbroken fire bender would lose their fire bending and that a fire bender in love would have a stronger fire than any other.
And Zuko had gone from being a fire bender in love to a heartbroken fire bender.
He looked up, over at the fire where their little group sat eating dinner, talking and having fun. Zuko wasn't sure how to go about explaining this without revealing the secret of his love to everyone, not to mention possibly alienate Aang from him. He had to tell them though, because Sozen's Comet was coming and Aang needed to be ready, with or without Zuko's help.
Appa suddenly gave Zuko a loving lick, rumbling that way he did, almost as if he was purring. The prince smiled at the beast rubbing its nose in thanks as he straightened his shoulders and walked over to the group, deciding he'd have to make up a little white lie to get his point across. "Listen up everyone…I've got some bad news," he said, keeping his voice as steady and strong as he could, trying not to let on how much the situation was getting to him. "I've lost my stuff."
"Don't look at me I didn't touch your stuff," Suki said lightly, nudging a chuckling Toph like it was an inside joke between them, grinning at Zuko before her smile started to fall at his serious expression.
"I'm talking about my fire bending," he continued, looking down into the camp fire they had burning for their dinner. "It's gone."
"How is that possible? You were fire bending fine a couple of days ago against Combustion Man. How can you lose your fire bending," Katara said softly, looking at him, trying to figure out the reason why, trying to help as was her nature.
"It's not lost…just weaker for some reason," he explained, hoping she caught on to the reason why.
Katara seemed to, and her soft blue eyes were compassionate and understanding, glancing briefly at Aang before turning on him. She looked contemplative, probably like him trying to come up with a good enough explanation for why this was happening besides the truth. He looked away from her, looking down at the ground, trying to come up with something before someone started asking questions.
"I bet it's because I changed sides," he said, hoping that made sense.
"That's ridiculous," Katara answered before she realized what she said, covering her mouth and looking at him apologetically.
"I don't know, maybe it isn't," Aang spoke up and Zuko turned his eyes on him, torn with how he felt. On one hand he was glad Aang was buying his bluff but on the other…he really wanted to tell Aang the truth without risking freaking him out.
"Maybe your fire bending comes from rage," Aang continued. "And you just don't have enough anger to fuel it like you used to."
"So we just need to make Zuko angry. Easy enough," Sokka spoke up.
Zuko glared out of the corner of his eye at the warrior, seeing Suki giggling behind her hand at her boyfriend's antics. He locked eyes with Sokka as he danced around the prince, poking his ribs and hips with his sheathed sword. For once Sokka looked rather serious though he was covering it with his usual antics. Could he be…he couldn't possibly.
Sokka was trying to cheer Zuko up.
Did everybody know about his secret except the person who the secret was about? I don't believe this.
"Okay! Cut it out," he shouted, feeling frustration and depression warring inside of him and he regrettably lashed out at the first person he could, which happened to be his best friend's boyfriend.
Though Sokka didn't seem to be fazed at all, in fact he gave Zuko a sheepish but understanding grin as he sat down next to Toph. These people were just too good in his opinion. Zuko just couldn't believe how accepting and forgiving they were of him…he should have changed sides a long time ago, before things got so complicated like they were now.
He glanced at Aang, who was busy nibbling on his dinner and Zuko wondered what could have happened if he had accepted Aang's offer to join his side so many months ago, back in that clearing where they consummated the relationship they hadn't had yet. At the time Zuko had been scared, worried about his own physical and emotional reactions to Aang. He was confused about his destiny, scared about the consequences of betraying his father, and in denial about how he felt for the boy who was never his enemy. What would have happened, if he had taken Aang's hand that day and returned with him to his friends, forsaking his life of a banished prince and becoming a companion of the Avatar? What would have happened?
Zuko's eyes locked with Aang's for just a heartbeat and then the prince looked away. It was no use dwelling on the 'could haves' and 'would haves' of his past. It was best to focus on the here and now.
"Look even if you're right," he said, referring to Aang saying his fire was fueled by rage, which wasn't entirely true. "I don't want to have to rely on hate and anger anymore. There has to be another way."
"You're going to need to learn to draw your bending from a different source. I recommend the original source," Toph spoke up, a silent presence until she could bring something to the table, like now. Zuko didn't care that she was so young, which some held against her; she was years ahead…no wonder she and his uncle had become friends.
"How's he supposed to do that, by jumping into a volcano," Sokka said laughingly, ever the one to break tensions in a conversation and to divert attention away from where it didn't belong, like Zuko's heart. Suki sure was lucky to have a guy like him.
"No," Toph said dispelling the joke, making Sokka's face fall. "Zuko needs to go back to whatever the original source of fire bending is."
"So…is it jumping into a volcano," Sokka replied, in all seriousness this time which had a wary grin coming to Zuko's face.
As Toph spoke about her past Zuko stared into the little fire the group had for dinner, watching the flames dance and lick at the edge of the pit it was built in. It was soothing and hypnotizing just like Toph's voice as she spoke of the badger moles, how they were the first earth benders. Zuko felt melancholy all of a sudden, realizing he couldn't even use Toph's suggestion to help.
"Well this doesn't help me. The original fire benders were the dragons, and they're extinct," he said gravely, not liking the thought it was because of his forefathers, again, that something was wrong with this world.
There had to be another way, because Zuko wasn't sure his heart was going to mend itself anytime soon.
"I take back what I said earlier Zuko…you're an idiot."
"Shut up."
Aang figured it was only right that his first outing with Zuko they get trapped by some glue because the prince couldn't keep his hands off shiny things. First he almost gets killed by the past, they learned about architecture, apparently all the dragons are dead, Zuko has a family tradition of complicated pasts, the prince outsmarted a sunstone, he danced with Zuko and then his teacher picks up the glowing egg which Aang had explicitly said NOT to do.
So now they were stuck, in green goop, staring up at the sky with no hope of rescue. Suddenly the goop around his legs started to shift and Aang froze as thoughts of creepy goop monsters that eat people flooded through him at the feeling.
"Zuko," he whispered, fingers flexing on the bars he grasped. "I think there's something in this stuff."
"What?"
"There's something moving by my feet."
"Oh that's just my hand."
Aang turned his head as much as he could, glaring at Zuko who looked at him with a grin. "Well maybe you should tell me that before I start freaking out," he said, sticking out his tongue at the prince.
Zuko just chuckled, the sound sending pleasant warmth flowing through his body and Aang looked away before Zuko could see his blush. They were silent and Aang felt Zuko's hand moving around more, and now he was curious to what the prince was doing, because he couldn't move at all.
"How are you doing that," he asked, craning his neck as far as he could, wondering if he would see Zuko's hand pop out.
"There's an air bubble around my hand. And I think if I can slowly push it to you, you could air bend inside of it and get us out. I'm trying to move it using the limited fire I have, kinda like I'm burning a path through this stuff. And it seems to be working," Zuko explained, tongue sticking out a bit as he concentrated on moving his hand.
Aang grinned at his teacher, thinking it was a wonderful idea, if they could get it to work. "Okay, I take back what I just said again, you're pretty smart," he said cheerfully.
Zuko just smirked briefly at him before concentrating again. Aang settled back, staring up at the sky and making pictures out of the clouds as he waited for his friend. His eyes widened as minutes later he felt heat on his body…and not where it should be.
"AH."
"Oh sorry…is that your leg…I can't tell where my hand is."
"No it's not my leg."
"Then what am I touching?"
At that statement the Prince gave a squeeze to the flesh in the palm of his hand, fingering the area. Aang blushed beet read, trying to wiggle away but having no luck. He was still stuck. And now that Zuko's hand was trapped against his body the prince couldn't move without burning Aang. Not good.
"Your hand's on my…"
"Your what?"
"…my bottom."
The reaction was immediate. The hand on his backside ceased its curious probing and exploring, frozen against him. The prince looked at him with wide eyes before looking away with a light blush. "Oh," was Zuko's only reaction. A few moments later his teacher tried moving his hand again but it was clear that the air bubble was somehow gone and Zuko's hand was trapped fondling Aang's goods.
"Uh…sorry Aang…looks like I couldn't make it work."
"…you're an idiot."
Zuko didn't refute the statement; he just blew at his bangs, making his dark hair dance a bit. Aang didn't like this situation one bit. Because…because…he actually liked having Zuko's hand on his bottom.
Maybe he could fire bend from blushing, because with how hot his face felt Aang was sure there's would be fire dancing on his cheeks any moment now.
Why did it feel good? It should be awkward and wrong and disgusting…but it just didn't feel that way, no matter how much Aang wanted it to. Zuko's hand was large and warm, and made Aang feel supported and safe, like as long as he had Zuko with him he would be alright. It seemed like all his problems, the fire bending, the war, even his love for Katara were just insignificant and unimportant with Zuko touching him so gently. It was like his mind was relieved of all the burdens he carried for a time and it was…euphoria. Why did Aang feel like he had felt like this before, why did he feel like he and Zuko had touched like this before, why did he feel like Zuko had touched him more?
"OWW!"
Aang gasped, body going taunt, eyes rolling in his head as his scar, the one Azula gave him, throbbed in agony, spikes of pain shooting up and down his spine. It was too much, he panted, biting his lip and groaning.
"Aang…Aang…are you okay, what's wrong?"
"Zuko…"
Blackness tinted the corners of his vision. Why did this happen? Why? He was just remembering but his body didn't want him to and shut down. Why? Why wasn't he allowed to remember?
Aang passed out cold, eyes slipping back into his head, body taunt in pain before going boneless in unconsciousness, the last thing he heard was Zuko shouting his name in desperation. Maybe the prince really did care about him…
Zuko stopped in his trek, glancing over his shoulder at his slow companion. The Avatar climbed the hillside slowly, anxiously glancing at his little ball of fire he held in his hand…just as Zuko anxiously watched the boy, worried he would faint.
The prince had nearly had a heart attack when Aang had passed out cold beside him where they had been trapped and Zuko had desperately called his name, completely dumbfounded as to what had happened. The Avatar had looked in pain before he passed out and Zuko worried his hand had had something to do with it. But he hadn't summoned his limited fire at all and the prince thought up dreadful scenario after scenario, nightmares of what was wrong with Aang.
At night fall his student abruptly woke up. Zuko had almost cried in relief but then it was strange…Aang acted like…he didn't remember anything after they got trapped, not their conversation or his attempt at escape. It was almost like a wall went up between them, like what Zuko had felt when he had first arrived at the Western Air Temple. Before he could question the boy a strange man came and found them…who turned out to be the Chief of the Sun Warriors, who had been living in secret, hiding away from their brethren the Fire Nation. It was amazing and Zuko was humbled by the experience.
So now they traveled, with pieces of the Eternal Flame, climbing up to the mountain where their teachers would be waiting for them and the two of them would hopefully discover the true and pure way to fire bend, not the distorted fire bending his nation taught. He waited for Aang on a ledge, staring at him intently. Things were hard now. There was a distance between them, between their hearts, and Zuko worried if he'd ever be able to cross it.
Aang seemed so in love with Katara now and as much as Zuko wanted him he really didn't want to break that up, not if it would hurt the monk. He wanted him, oh how Zuko wanted Aang all for himself but he refused to pressure him and force him into loving the prince, because then it wouldn't be the innocent and unconditional thing they had before. He wished he could turn back time, make every okay.
Because this was so hard to accept.
"You okay Zuko," Aang asked when he caught up, breaking the prince from his melancholy thoughts.
"Yeah…let's keep moving…"
Zuko stared out at the view when the two of them mounted the tall platform where they were to meet the master Ran and Chah. He spared a glance at Aang who looked terribly nervous and the prince had the urge to hold him tight and never let him go…but they might lose their fire and they couldn't do that now they they've come so far.
"Those who wish to meet the masters Ran and Chah will now present their fire," a booming voice called up.
They both took deep breaths, turning from one another, each facing one of the cave openings on either side of the mountain. Zuko bowed forward, jumping a bit when a loud horn sounded, followed by a crashing from within the cave behind him, where Aang faced. He tried to keep a straight face, figuring these masters wanted to intimidate them and make a grand entrance.
"What's going on," Aang asked anxiously behind him.
Zuko glanced back at the boy with compassionate eyes, now really wanting to hold him in his arms and take down these masters who were scaring him. Aang glanced at Zuko's cave before going back to his own.
"Oh no my fire's gone out," Aang cried anxiously, coming up to his side.
"What?"
"Zuko…give me some of yours."
"That'd be cheating…"
"Please."
Oh those eyes, those big grey, deep eyes, staring helplessly up at him. Zuko couldn't resist. He nodded, glancing down at the tribe gathered below. Aang's trembling hand's slipped into his own, trying to grab the fire. But he was doing it wrong, he was too nervous and he was taking too much.
"Wait Aang stop, you're going to – "
POOF.
"…make the fire go out."
Aang's hands lay in his own and they stared at each other with wide anxious eyes. "Uh oh," they muttered together.
Zuko looked up at the cave Aang had faced, sensing that's where the first master would come from. And the master did. In all his dragon glory.
The wind rushed around them as the dragon unfurled its wings, twisting around the platform they stood on, red scales glowing in the fading light of day. It was a beautiful creature…but also so very, very dangerous. Zuko reached out for Aang, pulling him close, worried he would get picked off first, fearing this beast meant to kill them.
And then a blue dragon flew out of the other cave and the situation became even worst.
But…they weren't attacking. They were just flying around them, twisting and bending around each other and where the two of them stood…it's was almost like they were…
"Zuko…I think we're supposed to do the Dragon Dance with them."
The prince looked down at Aang, releasing the grip he had on the other's shoulder's to protect him, blushing a bit, and glancing at the twirling dragons again.
"Are you sure?"
"I think we're supposed to do something. Let's just try it."
Zuko nodded in agreement and they turned back to back, going into the first position. He went through the motions, almost closing his eyes at the flow of the dance, how he felt like all of his energy was alight and swimming freely through his body. The red dragon seemed to be following his movements just as the blue dragon followed Aang's, and Zuko realized once again that the Avatar was right. He had a knack for being right.
They finished, fists pressed together. Zuko smiled at Aang who returned the gesture. But then the prince realized it was terribly quiet and the wind wasn't rushing anymore. The dragons were poised in midair, staring both of them down. He pressed his back to Aang's, gazing in fear at the beasts staring them down.
Judgment Time.
The dragons jumped forward, grabbing on to the platform and opened their mouths blowing out a wave of fire at them both. They both yelled in fear, throwing up their arms to protect themselves against the attack. But it wasn't an attack. Zuko lowered his arms and looked up. The two dragon's fire swirled around them, a soothing protective wrap of colorful fire. The colors, there were so many colors.
Zuko reached back, hand seeking out Aang's and finding it, holding on tight, lacing their fingers together. Aang's hand squeezed his own as the fire swirled around them. There was a pressure in his mind and he looked down at the red dragon that crouched below him breathing fire.
"Take comfort in this prince. This is something that only the two of you will share. A sacred connection of fire. He will remember when the time is right."
The voice was deep and soothing, and he wondered if he had imagined it. The fire dissipated and the dragons returned to their dens, leaving him and Aang alone on the platform. They turned with out a word and started descending down, hands clasped until they reached the bottom step and they were greeted by the Chief.
Whether he had imagined it or not that voice had been right. This was something special, something only he'd have with Aang, it'd be theirs and that brought Zuko more comfort than he realized.
Even if they didn't have their romance they had this, this discovery of an ancient civilization who truly understood the ways of fire, and that experience, more than their training, would bring Zuko comfort in the coming time when he tried to win Aang back, because now they had something sacred and special that connected them, something stronger than just being teacher and pupil.
Aang was going to remember some day. The memories weren't gone, just hidden, and when this war was over Zuko would start helping the boy remember.
His fire was back, stronger than ever. It felt so good and gave him a peace he hadn't felt in a few days. Zuko glanced at Aang who bended a ball of fire with a bright and happy smile on his face.
Even if it didn't come for a long time…their happy ending was bound to happen.
His eyes slipped open, gazing around the area he lay in. Aang was in a softly lit clearing, tall, thick trees surrounding him, giving no hint of the area outside. He lay on his side, on his discarded clothes mingled with some dark one's belonging to someone else. He was naked, and it didn't frighten him like he thought it would. Aang was just calm, relaxed, and feeling so safe. He hadn't felt like this…since before he found out he was the Avatar.
Aang looked down as a muscled pale arm curled around his waist, the large strong hand pressed against his heart. An equally naked body pressed against his back and he shivered as an erect cock nestled into the cleft of his ass, hot and hard. And yet he still wasn't scared, in fact he was a bit eager, and curious, his own young cock filling with blood from the proximity of one who desired him.
Warm breath ghosted across his neck, making the skin damp with the heat and then cool rapidly in the open air of the forest, the sensation electrifying and leaving Aang breathless, wanting more. Lips pressed to his pulse, sucking gently and he felt his eyes slip closed in rapture. Aang pressed back against that large body, sighing as the boy behind him shifted, so the other was looming over him, coming face to face.
Aang lifted a shaking hand, fingers pressing to the other's cheek, tracing his features, spending a long time on the charred flesh on the left side, gently touching that damaged place. The boy above him leaned down, kissing Aang's upturned lips softly, letting the kiss linger softly. It was such a simple little connection but it had Aang sighing for more, but much too content to do much more than lay in the arms of the boy holding him.
"Zuko," Aang whispered, bringing a smile to the handsome face hovering over his own at the sound of his name.
And then…he woke up, yelping in surprise as his scar burned in sharp spikes pain. He arched his back where he lay on Appa's tail, covering his mouth to muffle his groans of agony so his friends wouldn't wake. The pain soon faded and Aang was left gasping for breath, staring out into the barest glimmers of the rising sun on the evening sky.
What had he been dreaming about?
So yeah, review, review, review please.
I know most of you will want Aang to remember and at this point all I can say is "I KNOW!!" I'm rooting for them too people but now that I've opened this can of worms there's no going back. Feel free to ask questions, I am happy to answer without spoiling my future plans. I'm trying to hint as much as possible at what my plan is but I'm guessing it's more obvious to me than it is to everyone else, but there's only so much I can reveal without ruining the end.
I want to give a big shout-out to everyone who reviewed recently, I'm sorry I haven't been responding like I try to do by I've had at least two exams and/or papers each week recently and I will for the rest of the semester, not to mention NaNoWriMo. You guys have been really great and I appreciate all of your kind words and encouragement, I really do. I know I sometimes complain at this point but it's just because I've never had a story as popular as this one and it terrifies me a bit, for I have added pressure of making sure I write well, but I am enjoying the experience so thank you to everyone who reviews and to everyone who enjoys this.
Having said that though, CWHB will be taking a short break as I try to get through these next few weeks. Once winter break starts I'll finish this but I'll need y'all to be patient until then okay.
Next time: The Boiling Rock, yeah you remember that impenetrable prison thingy that Zuko and Sokka went to on their male bonding adventure…well they're still going. HA, bet you weren't expecting that…or maybe you were…hmmm. Stay tuned anyway, could be a fun chapter with Sokka making a POV appearance.
TTFN