A/N: Thank you very very much to everyone that came out to review those last chapters. You are all so sweet.

I had a few offers for Betas and I have to say that is kindness beyond words guys. However, I think I'm just going to wing it for the rest of the story. You guys are going to be stuck with my 'your' 'you're' and 'then' 'than' mistakes.

The night had been a long one, filled with intense passion. Aang's reawakening emotions mixed with his never ending curiosity had Zuko busy till well after the sun rise. Aang wanted to learn everything and Zuko was only too happy to teach him.

Zuko stared at the sleeping boy in his bed. His hands itched to touch him, but he didn't for fear of waking him. The light in his room told him that the afternoon was setting in. If Aang didn't wake soon, it was likely that he wouldn't sleep well that evening. Zuko knew he needed to wake him. He braced himself though. Aang had been a willing participant last night, but the morning light always had a funny way of illuminating things.

The last time they had kissed, Aang had avoided the Fire Nation for over a year. If Aang chose to run from him this time, Zuko feared he may never see Aang again. Though, since Toph had taken all of his things, he still wasn't going to get very far at this point.

Zuko laughed without thinking. Hazy silver eyes slipped opened. They stared at him through a blur of minor confusion until a smile crossed his face. Zuko smiled back feeling his spirits lift.

"You didn't go back to your room at all last night, did you?" Zuko asked.

"And just was is so funny about that, Sifu?" Aang questioned back.

"Don't call me that and you will have to ask Toph," Zuko answered.

"Mmm, but you are a great teacher," Aang replied.

"You guys are just trying to give me a complex about that word. How are you feeling?"

Aang moved to sit up and Zuko thought for a moment that the boy might throw up. Zuko helped to gather the pillows on the bed and propped Aang into a sitting position with them.

"I seem to be sore," Aang said.

"After last night, that is to be expected. You will get better about that with time and practice."

Zuko climbed out of bed and made his way to his closet. He pretended that he didn't feel eyes watching his every movement. Those eyes made him feel like his choice was taking unnaturally long. He grabbed some light under garments and moved to his chair and to grab the Fire Lord robes that rested on them. He didn't even make it to the chair though, when the door burst open.

"Good afternoon, Hot Pants! You planning to sleep the day away?" Toph asked enthusiastically.

"Toph, would you mind stepping out for a moment?" Zuko said, his voice higher then usual.

In the hall, a passing maid carrying a platter of food that Zuko presumed was meant for the Avatar that didn't show at breakfast or lunch turned at just the wrong moment. The platter went crashing to the floor in a clatter of broken dishes.

"What? What's wrong?" Toph asked.

"Hot Pants, isn't wearing any," Aang explained.

"I know I can't see, but those are the things that a girl has a right to know! You should have said something-"

"Toph, you're still in the room," Aang interrupted.

"Aaaagh!" Toph exclaimed as she scrambled out the door closing it behind her.

Zuko quickly dressed while Aang chuckled from the bed.

"Hush," Zuko said to Aang, but the boy only laughed harder.

Toph opened the door a crack.

"Okay, why is Aang in your bed? Why is he laughing in your bed? Why are you pants less while he is laughing in your bed?"

Aang's laughter doubled. Zuko felt like his heart was melting. The light blush told him that he should be embarrassed, but he felt too happy. He had expected Aang to be a regretful person this morning, but found only a playful person. Where he had expected looks of resentment, he found smiles. He felt better then he had in ages and more then anything, he delighted in hearing that laugh. He hadn't realized how much he had missed it. It was a dream come true that he didn't even know he wished for.

"When you go so long without smiling, laughing makes your face face hurt," Aang said between laughs.

"You can come in, Toph," Zuko said.

Toph walked in and took the seat she had the night before, next to Zuko's bed.

"Can I get some answers here?"

"After you left, I went out to the garden for some air and Aang happened to drop in."

Another howl of laughter sounded from Aang.

"I'm sorry. Sorry. Its just that... It all seems so funny today," Aang said through fits of giggles.

"Zuko after you collapsed, you should have gotten some rest. You shouldn't have been out in the garden or doing other... things," Toph admonished.

"Zuko's fine. He's healthy as can be. Here he is, the strapping Fire Lord, ready to take on the day. Well, what's left of it anyway," Aang retorted.

"Aang, you can't possibly know what damage-" Toph began only to be cut off.

"He is fine. Nothing happened to him. Nothing is going to happen to him. He will be ruling the Fire Nation till he has more gray hair then Iroh," Aang said with finality in his voice.

Aang began to pull the covers around himself. With careful movements, he got it wrapped around himself and moved to the edge of the bed.

"So what, you guy are now together?" Toph asked.

"No. Zuko is still my best friend. He just happens to be my sifu in more ways then one now," Aang said.

Zuko felt his blood freeze. It was like having the rug pulled out from under you. It came totally unexpectedly. With Aang's lack of running, Zuko had thought Aang had accepted his feelings and had realized his own in the process. Zuko wasn't sure if he could handle going back to simply being friends at this point.

Aang caught him in the ribs with his elbow as he passed and said, "Cheer up, Sifu. You still have lots to teach me."

In a moment that felt like forever, Zuko watched as Aang left his room, still wrapped in the blanket. He crossed the hall and was gone beyond a closed door. Zuko felt Toph's hand come to rest lightly on his arm. Concern written all over her face.

"Aang obviously wants you. He seems worried about you too. You haven't been rejected. I just don't think he knows yet. I think his feeling might not have grown up with him. Like locking them away for so many years while he grew, they didn't. You know what that means right?"

"Yeah, it means I have to reject him," Zuko said.

From across the hall they heard the angry shout of, "TOOOOPPPPPHHH!"

Toph winced and Zuko gave a light smile as he said, "You might want to run."

Footnote: Not terribly long, but I was ready for another short time skip. However, I wanted you to all see the Morning After results.

For those of you who said they expected Regret... I wont lie, me too, but oddly, it seems the one who is feeling it is Zuko.