The day was saved thanks to the Avatar gaang. But it's been several years; dynamics have changed and they have all been growing up. Katara and Aang are no longer together, realizing how unprepared they both were for a relationship (especially Aang). Instead, the everyone remains as a group of traveling friends. Only now they travel the world on more casual adventures, with different members of the group leaving when necessary to tend to business in the different nations. Each of these chapters will take place as Aang washes off in preparation for the day. Aiming for a slow burn here. I think the rest of the story should speak for itself.
I tiptoe from the camp to the stream nearby. The sun's just now hitting the leaves and hasn't even begun to sparkle on the water. I've been doing this for a couple of years. I wake up early to sneak down to the stream before Sokka or Zuko, so I have it all to myself. It's so much easier to wash aloneāno covering anything up or trying to protect your own privacy and provide others' the same. I just have to listen for anyone rustling through the tall grass on their way over here.
I hang my clothes and towel on a tree branch, and take a step in. The water trips cold on the tops of my feet. I take a big breath and start warming up my body. The stream starts to grow a little warmer, too. I wade in deeper, pausing to adjust every few steps. I'm halfway in when I hear the sound I fear. I look over and see the shrubs shift.
Zuko emerges in just his loose maroon pants. He yawns as he pads over to the tree where my things are hung. "Morning, Aang," he sighs. Zuko's eyes are barely open, so I give a quick greeting. We can have a full conversation when we're more awake. Instead, I turn around and kick around some silt. Some fish flock away, and the water around me becomes murky. There's no reason to provide Zuko with more of a view than necessary.
I crouch down so only my head and shoulders are left above the water, and I hear Zuko taking a breath before he takes his first steps in the water. I remember learning this trick from him before bathing together seemed weird. I guess I just started to feel embarrassed about sharing this personal time with anyone. We've always found separate bathing areas for the boys and girls, but I don't see why having the same parts should make anyone more comfortable in exposing them. The water around me starts to steam as I take a big sigh.
A gentle splash and some ripples come from behind me. I turn my head around and see Zuko naked, ankle-deep in the water. Quickly, I face away. It's so strange to see him like that. I wish I felt that comfortable. I sometimes imagine coming to bathe and walking in without any shame. Perhaps it's because of my history with Zuko, but in my head he is always the one undressing and walking into the water with me. I would feel so happy to get rid of all the stress around this.
A big wave hits me and submerges my whole neck. "Have any interesting dreams last night, then?" Zuko asks as he crouches down within arm's reach.
I twist my toes in the dirt, attempt to casually place my hands over myself, and keep my head and eyes turned down and away, pretending to zone out while watching the ripples in the creek. "I don't remember. I don't think so." I wish I had. Without an interesting dream, I can't think of what to say next. I hate not having anything to offer Zuko. Maybe the conversation will end here, I think, discouraged.
"I had a weird one," Zuko adds after the pause. "You were in it." I turn around in anticipation of what he'll say next. Instead, he dunks his head under and comes back up with his bangs draped over his eyes. He flips them back nonchalantly. Droplets fall off of his nose and lips back into the water or on his chest.
"What was I doing?" I try and act only half-interested. The early morning and the seeming offhandedness of the conversation point toward keeping things casual.
"Well, we were training. I was trying to help you increase your range. We were in the South Pole, but it wasn't really the South Pole, you know?"
"Oh, so were Katara and Zuko there?"
"No, it was only you and me. It was like we were in a classroom, but no one else was there." Zuko's eyes shifted back and forth looking at the water, then he dipped under again. I covered myself automatically. He came back up and pushed his hair out of his face revealing a furrowed brow. "I guess that's it," he said.
"Wait I thought you said it was weird," I asked.
He smirked and shrugged, "I guess it wasn't that weird. It was just strange to be alone with you in the dream, I guess. It's been a while."
It had been a while. I had mastered firebending a few years ago. Now we only spent time together with the rest of the group. Often, one of us would have to leave the group, too, to help with some affair or another. Once Zuko was gone for a few months to deal with an uprising in the capital. The group was perceivably different without him. It was missing his usual gravity and thoughtfulness. I also missed hearing his attempts at jokes while he was away, too. He always ended up over-explaining the joke. Sokka would get mad, but Toph and I could never stop laughing. Zuko was right, though. It was strange to picture us alone together.
"Yeah, we haven't had a lot of one-on-one time lately," I said looking at him apologetically.
"Well, what about right now?" Zuko asked as he glided his hand along the surface of the water between us, sending a wave right against my chest.
I half-laughed and rubbed the stubble on the back of my head, "Yeah, that's true."
Zuko just looked at me with a calm smile on his face for what felt like a whole minute. Then, he added, "Maybe that's why I had that dream. It woke me up so I could come spend time with you this morning. We can make this a regular thing."
I nodded as my stomach seemed to shrivel up like a dried berry.
"Well, I'm starting to wrinkle like a dried berry," Zuko said as an obvious way to end our time. Still, I wondered if he had just read my mind. Then, he stood up. I was looking right at the scar on his chest, and I felt ashamed for staring as long as I did. I turned to look at anything else.
"I'll come out in a bit. Just going to try and really get between these twinkle toes today." I said, prepared to slap myself as soon as Zuko was out of sight for my attempt at humor. I faced away as Zuko walked out and dried off. I just wish I could've walked along beside him. I dipped my head underwater and smiled with the image of Zuko and I chatting and laughing as we got dressed. It brings me such peace when I close my eyes and see his hard-won grin. I just want that sense of complete ease. I resurfaced from the water back from my fantasy. I'm surprised to hear Zuko angrily muttering to himself as he walks back toward the camp. Just a few minutes ago he seemed like he was in such a positive mood.
I stand up from the water now that he's gone and briefly enjoy the little trails of water wiggling down my body. But I'm afraid Sokka will be coming soon. I cover myself and walk to the shore, quickly drying and dressing. Then, I make my way back to camp, excited and nervous about seeing Zuko after our morning conversation.
