Zuko sighed deeply as he was laying on his back in Appas saddle, looking up towards the huge carpet of stars above them as the bison was flying across a large desert.
It was so peaceful up here. Quiet… And the stars were beautiful. Thousands upon thousands of tiny mini suns glittering from the night sky.
Suddenly Ang laid down next to Zuko and looked up as well. "Pretty." he commented.
"It's nice that even when the world is on fire. There are some things that wont change." Zuko commented.
Aang halted. "Zuko… We are going to try and get an attack force. We are going to… Attack your dad. Are you okay with that?" he asked.
Zuko sighed deeply. "I know it has to be done. This can't be allowed to go on."
"Yeah I know but…" Aang turned so he was now on his elbow looking at Zuko. "I understand if you don't feel comfortable with it."
Zuko closed his eyes. "I don't know I… Ever since I made my mind up. About following you guys. I never been so much at peace with myself before. I know I'm doing the right thing. Still…" he halted. "Those soldiers... They are just following orders. The youngest ones really think what they are doing is right." he swallowed. "Those are also... my people. They are just... Being lied to." he closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry you have to fight them." Aang spoke sadly.
"Thank you. That does help... A little bit." Zuko chewed his lip still looking uncomfortable. "It's just him we have to take down. The fire lord... I just.. erhm. It's just.."
"He's your dad." Aang finished.
Zuko sighed deeply, then shook his head. "Well, not really. Like I said before." He finally said in a low tone. It still sounded sad though. "He never encouraged me or ever said I had done anything right. He never hugged me or even talked to me like a person. The only reason I wasn't hurt when I was small was because my mother protected me and I didn't even realize. When she was gone he would slap me because my fire bending wasn't good enough. And I thought I deserved it."
"I can't even imagine." Aang admitted.
"I feared him." Zuko admitted. "I rarely ever saw him but then as he approached in the halls I both feared him and craved his praise. I wanted him to tell me I made him proud. Just ones… One single time." he closed his eyes. "So yeah… Thinking that joining a war room to proof my worth was such a great idea." he laughed a hollow laughter.
Aang didn't really know what he was talking about but accepted it as part of what Zuko had to talk about. Then he laid down again, his head accidental touching Zukos as they looked up at the stars together.
"Erhm Aang. I want to apologize." Zuko said quietly.
"It's not necessary. Seriously." Aang assured.
"No listen… When I captured you the first time I.." Zuko swallowed. "I said you wouldn't know what it was like having a family. Because you were raised by monks and I… I was wrong. I think you had a way better idea of family than I had."
"Oh." Aang realized. "That's okay… You know. I am just really happy we could be friends after all."
"Friends." Zuko commented, chewed a bit as if he was tasting the word. "We are. Aren't we?" he asked as if he had first realized that now.
"Yeah. We're friends now Zuko." Aang smiled amused. "All of us actually."
"Heh, you know it's funny. I never really had friends before." Zuko admitted.
"That's not funny at all. That's sad." Aang replied in a small pout. "It's nice having friends."
"It is." Zuko admitted a little shyly. "Aang…" he hesitated. "Do you believe in destiny? Do you think it's your destiny to defeat the fire lord and my destiny to help you?"
"Well…" Aang halted. "I know a lot of people love talking about it. And talking about it being my destiny." he halted. "But that would mean the war is already won… I know it's my duty to do it. To bring back balance. Destiny? No.." he said. "I have to make the choice. To full fill my duty or not."
"So… It's my duty to help you?" Zuko asked.
"Only if you decide that's your duty. You have a choice Zuko. You made a big choice when you joined us. Remember?" Aang asked. "And every day you are choosing to stick to it. I'm the avatar, so bringing balance is my duty. Not much I can do about it… I can ignore my duty. But well, that would be ignoring my duty. You know?"
Zuko glanced up at the stars.
"Zuko?" Aang asked.
"I do have a duty." Zuko said. "To the people of the fire nation. I'm a prince." he said. "My father and my sister ignored their duty. That's why they are the traitors." he swallowed. "If I turned on my duty, I would be a true traitor."
Aang was quiet. "That's a heavy burden." he commented.
"So is yours." Zuko commented. "The entire world. I mean."
"Well." Aang commented. "It's a good thing neither of us are carrying the burden alone."
Zuko halted, then he turned his head and Aang turned his. They faced each other looking at each other.
And then suddenly, they both smiled. Both lifted their hands and met in a little fist bump before laying back. Resting their heads in their hands, looking at the stars. Just enjoying the moment and the company.
