Thank you all for the reviews! I have regular reviews! Eee! Sorry, it's a beautiful little moment. So thank you to Samaraluvs1D, and to theotheralison and Ariel (no fins for you, I know!) for the extra long reviews! They were fabulous!
Anyway, this one is a bit of a filler, had to set up for the rest of the story. Which is almost at the half-way point! And I promise you that the two of 'em won't be apart for too long. Zuko needs as much help, and time, as he can with that stubborn girl.
Anyway, onwards to the story! And thank you all again! I broke 1500 views!
After Katara left him in Ba Sing Se, Zuko tried his hardest to remain there for even a bit longer, enjoying the lack of responsibilities the city offered. Unfortunately, duty called in the form of an air balloon and he was lifted out of the city with barely a moment to throw his travel bag together (he'd snuck away from his Royal Guard to purchase another one, in deep blue). He at least managed a hurried goodbye to his Uncle, forcing him to promise a visit at some point in the future. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed having someone close by until this random little trip. He'd have thanked Katara for that, if she hadn't gone and messed things up by making him fall in love with her.
He leaned against his hand, smiling a bit (dopily, but he'd never admit that) as he thought about the trip. And it really was hard to focus on anything else. When he'd returned to the Capitol, he'd expected meetings and scrolls and so, so much work. Instead the Council had flocked him, herded him into a room, and questioned him about the two weeks he'd been gone, and more importantly Katara. After getting whatever they apparently had wanted from him, they'd nearly locked him in a study with a big stack of papers, and there he stayed. Obviously not constantly, they weren't his jailers. But they also didn't give him any other instructions, save the occasional meeting.
As a young Lord, he was frustrated at the lack of work. As a young man, he was incredibly, terribly, absolutely bored. Hours were spent each day with the doors wide open, glossy-eyed Firelord blankly watching the passing people. It was such a day, as his mind dully categorized maid, councilor, diplomat, mail carrier, mail ca- before he realized that said mail carrier was actually in the room and staring at him with a most concerned look.
He coughed into his hand, straightening as quickly as he could whilst maintaining a professional, calm demeanor. The man didn't buy it. He just handed over a canister, shaking his head, before bowing and briskly walking away.
Zuko blinked, then looked down at the tiny item. A grin split has face, because he knew what it was; a hawk message capsule. There was a sharp movement as he attempted to fireblast the door closed- not that it worked, the guards posted outside weren't too pleased- and he ripped into the capsule eagerly. As a last-minute thought, he bolted out of his chair and went for the window. Just to let the hawk in, but he knew it was just an excuse to waste some time, that he just wanted to test himself. He wanted to see how long he could resist the temptation of her acknowledgement, her words.
It began like that, with him eagerly awaiting her letters before hastily scrawling something back. They spoke of anything and everything, especially when he found out that she was travelling abroad before heading back home. He started sharing stories of his own travels wherever she was, and she in return told him of whatever trouble she managed to break up- or walk right into.
After that first two week gap of being back home and not hearing anything, her letters started to come quickly and frequently, and he responded just as fast. He was still responsible, of course, and he even took small tours throughout the Fire Nation as the seasons began to shift for the warmer. His venturing didn't stop him from receiving the messages, as the hawk seemed to have a sixth sense for finding him. The same hawk that both of them fought over tooth and nail.
Since the two of them saw her equally, there had been a spat over her name. And how often she was fed. If she should be preened by hand, taught to fetch, or cuddled. He really did try to draw a line about the hawk with Katara, and it wasn't even his sappiness that had him ignored.
She simply wouldn't listen.
It was as he was furiously writing back, telling her no, you cannot make the bird a blue pair of legwarmers when his window was kicked open by a gust of wind. Considering the hawk was right in front of him (on a custom-made Fire-red perch, Katara had not been happy that he hadn't included blue), he was understandably alarmed.
However, seeing as how the Avatar was standing in front of the gaping glass pane, he felt he was allowed that particular emotion.
He felt an urge, a very strong one, to snatch the letter off the table and burn it. He wasn't even sure how Aang would react. The boy hadn't done so well when his pet bison had gone missing. How would he react to finding out that his once-enemy was attempting to court the love of his life?
Not that Katara was a bison. Or anything like that. Agni, she would kill him if he ever said that to her.
Aang, in his normal lack of attention, didn't seem to notice Zuko's panic. He was looking around the room with curiosity, going so far to poke at a few scrolls and portraits. He snorted in laughter at the 'dignified' pose Zuko was holding in the largest painted frame in the room. His cheek flared red, and he coughed loudly in hopes of catching Aang's attention.
Yeah, no go.
Growling, Zuko stormed over and yanked a silk tassel, dropping a fabric cover over the portrait. "What are you doing in my study?"
"Whoa, do you get sick of looking at you too? Maybe you should add a moustache... I think that normally helps!" He was lifting a corner to peer behind, but his bright grin shone straight for Zuko.
He rubbed a hand over his face, choosing to walk away before he lost his temper. Dropping down in his chair, he steepled his fingers in front of his face and regarded the younger male. Aang had grown, but not too much. He was still so young, just 15. Sometimes Zuko was still shocked they'd managed to survive their adventure at all, with such a kid leading the ragtag group. Or that he'd never managed to catch the boy. But that was still sore thinking, and Katara could probably sense that particular line of thought even across the nations. Best to drop that train.
He stayed silent as he watched the Avatar round his office, noticing the glances but not initiating anything. It seemed that was the best option, as the Avatar finally dropped down across from him. He was slouched down, watching Zuko through narrowed eyes. The favour was returned. And held.
Apparently Airbenders were not very patient(even after all that meditation training), because he threw himself forward with his arms folding on the study desk. "So." Silence was his answer. Uncomfortable shifting, and cue the notice of letter. Aang frowned a bit. "Katara said she's been talking with you lots." His heart sunk a bit. She must have kept in close contact with him after all.
The boy traced a finger against the desk surface. "Do you love her?"
He knew that particular bomb had been coming. He'd seen it a mile away. But he still stiffened, his eye still widened, and Aang locked onto that like a shirshu locks onto scents. His shoulders drooped, hands sliding down into his lap to tug at his sash.
"Why didn't you guys tell me...?" It was like the Ember Island Players all over again, the horrible sinking feeling that had punched him in the gut at seeing his fight with Iroh re-enacted. Worse than when Lee had told him to leave. Hell, it probably stung just as much as Katara saying she'd never forgive him.
His eyes flicked down, teeth tugging at his lower lip. "Aang... I- I'm sorry, I didn't intend..."
But the Airbender stood, smiling weakly at Zuko. "Don't worry about it. You guys are happy, and that's all that matters."
A gust of wind, and Zuko was alone, wondering if anything he ever did would be the right thing.
A bit short, but not too bad for a little daily dose of story! Anyway, I hope you're all enjoying your week, and hope to see you tomorrow! As theotheralison mentioned, there were a few typos so I'll be going back in to fix those up tomorrow. Nothing's more jarring than a typo in a story!
Please read, review, or flame! I love to hear from you guys, good or bad!
Also, someone help me name this hawk please. It will NOT be Hawky. Toph and her loving parents can keep that one.