He's coming. Jet wasn't sure if he was dreaming. However as the hours passed he sensed Zuko's arrival was close at hand. But just as the exiled prince was among the outskirts of the city, he paused. Jet understood why Zuko would be hesitant.
Something was amiss though. Lately the guards have become nervous. Most of the time they're bored. So they talk. A lot. Last few days however there was nothing but quiet. It was almost deafening.
Close to high noon the silence was insane.
Then just like the calm before the storm there was an explosion. The sounds of battle could be heard outside the prison. Jet listened, curious. There wasn't a roar, so he could assume it wasn't Zuko. There was only one other conclusion.
Aang survived? Jet didn't have time to ponder the lucky chances of the Avatar when he heard a commotion down the hallway. It sounded like two guards getting their asses kicked.
Then there was the jingle of keys. Footsteps that weren't the guards made their way towards his cell. Jet stared in amazement.
"Uncle?" Was that really the same man?
"Do you want to escape or not? We don't have much time." Iroh explained.
"As if you had to ask." Jet followed suit.
Once they were safely out of the prison, Jet stopped. Zuko was advancing again. And the sky was dark? It was daylight. Then he remembered Aang's group mentioning a solar eclipse. So this was a solar eclipse.
"We can't stop. Every precious second counts for us while they can't bend." Uncle noticed Jet lagging behind.
"He's coming." Jet didn't have to explain who he meant. Iroh understood. There was relief on his face, stress lines relaxing.
"Then go to him." Iroh urged.
"What about you? Don't you want to see him?" The Freedom Fighter was confused.
"Of course I do. Nothing would please me more. But there is something I must do if the Avatar's plan doesn't work. So for now I must leave." Iroh smiled fondly. "Go to him Jet."
"Okay. Thanks Uncle." With a nod the two parted ways. Despite his instincts telling him to go away from the fighting, he instead went towards the battle.
It wasn't that difficult to make his way around. Even though he had no idea how to navigate, it was easy to follow the sounds. When he was less than a mile away the sun peaked from behind the moon.
Suddenly the tables turned.
Jet could make out the unforgettable blue flames. He could barely see a familiar bald head fighting her off while his friends climbed onto - was that Appa? Indeed it was, all armored up for battle.
As he was almost joining them he realized he had come without weapons. He really didn't think this through. Jet stopped as eyes turned to him in shock.
"You're alive!" Katara exclaimed.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Jet smirked, playing it off.
"How did you escape?" Azula sneered.
"A little help from the moon." He pointed to the sky.
Jet noticed more of Aang's friends were climbing on Appa. So then all he had to do was distract the princess. A roar sounding Zuko's arrival. The Freedom Fighter's heart raced. Did the dragon spirit win?
The ground shook as the beast landed behind him. Jet turned with apprehension. Golden yellow eyes stared back. There wasn't any hatred in them as compared to the last time he stared into them.
Appa took flight. The bison groaned with so much weight. It looked as if the brave group joining in on the plan to invade were sending the children to safety, while their families remained. All that were left were Aang, Jet and Zuko.
The Freedom Fighter ran towards the dragon. Azula's attack was interrupted by a gust of wind. Following the wind a wall of rock blocked future attacks on them. All around, other firebenders were too terrified at the sight of a living legend in their presence.
Jet didn't hesitate as he climbed up on the dragon. He barely had enough time to hold on when Zuko took flight. As they ascended the dragon inhaled deeply. A second later flames blocked off any routes for anyone to follow Appa. Aang was beside them on his glider.
It was then that Jet processed he was flying. And the view was amazing. He could sense every movement of Zuko's body as they glided.
Whoa. He was speechless.
It's amazing, isn't it? Zuko asked as he followed in the direction of Appa.
"Yeah." Jet spoke aloud.
"Hey guys. Follow me! I gotta catch up with the others. I got an idea on where to hide out." Aang offered.
I think I know where. Zuko had a theory as he recalled the Air Temple he rested at before. The vision was shared with Jet.
Hey. Can we talk? Before we join them? Jet felt the apprehension from the prince. A few seconds of silence made both of them nervous.
Yes. Zuko was tense as he agreed. The Freedom Fighter sensed the prince was scared. Yet despite the fear he was placing his trust into Jet. Through the torn bond Jet relayed the same emotions. In an intimate way the notion relaxed Zuko. Even then the layer of fear was merely oppressed.
"Hey, Aang! We'll catch up to you guys later." Jet yelled out to the Avatar.
"But how will you find us?" Aang concerned.
"It's the temple right? He's been there. It should still be abandoned so don't worry. He was there recently."
"Okay. If you're sure. You guys be safe." Aang left their side. Zuko then turned away from the direction the Avatar was gliding.
"So, what exactly happened?" Jet's voice was guarded.
Zuko shared memories of all the important moments that transpired from the day he woke up at the abandoned temple with an old monk, to this morning. At the memories of the theory by the dragons, Jet snarled.
"So you only want to reconnect so you can live? Maybe I should have stayed at the prison."
Zuko roared. It was filled in pain, anger, and sorrow. The canyon behind them echoed with the sound.
Never! I mean, of course I want to live. But that's not my true intentions!
"Then what is it?" Suddenly the dragon plunged towards the ground. Jet clung desperately. For a split second it seemed like they would crash land.
At the last second Zuko pulled up, only to land not so elegantly. Jet lost his grip and fell with a heap. He sat up to watch Zuko turn to face him. Pain were visible in bright gold eyes.
I'm sorry. For everything I have done that hurt you. From keeping the secret to scarring your face. And I'm sorry that you were prisoner of the Fire Nation. I know my apologies aren't enough for the damage done.
Jet stood up. He wasn't sure how Zuko was speaking to him without touching. But he felt the emotions from the prince. Zuko was letting them flow like a river of lava. Zuko felt guilt. He felt torn. Hurt. Scared. And tiniest hint of hope in the center of it all.
I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry. And I love you. Although I gave you every good reason for you not to, I only wanted to tell you at least once.
"At least once? What are you talking about? Is he winning?" Jet felt panic. He stepped forward to raise a hand to the dragon's face. He sensed the dragon spirit. It had more power as Zuko drowned in despair.
"No! No don't let him win! Zuko! You can't! You're meant for more than this and you know it! Damn it, I love you too! Don't leave me!" Jet panicked as he screamed. Tears streamed down his face.
The dragon's body burst into flames. Jet instinctively raised his arms. Only, he wasn't burned? The teen opened his eyes. The fire was burning to avoid him. The length of the beast shrunk in the flames, burning away. In its place was Zuko, barely standing on his own feet. Jet rushed forward and embraced his lover to steady him.
The prince's legs were overcome with exhaustion. Jet lowered them to the ground with Zuko in his lap. He noticed the prince wasn't in the green fashion of the Earth Kingdom. Red and dark red with gold. Fire Nation royalty colors, if the comparison to Azula was anything to go by.
Zuko opened his eyes, blinking. For a few seconds they stared into each other. Then Zuko's attention turned to the flames. Jet followed his gaze to the fire. Above them it became the shape of a dragon. It roared as it soared high before dissipating.
"Thank you Jet."
"Anything for you babe." Jet held him closer. Not even a minute later Zuko was asleep.