By the time Zuko reached the top of the long… looong stairs reaching the mountain the sun had long since gone down and everything was clouded in darkness.

Aang was laying on his back at the top looking bored out of his mind then finally turned as Zuko made it up towards him.

"What took you?!" Aang complained loudly.

"Aang." Zuko held up his hands clasping them together. "Being able to fly and run like the wind. Is kind of an ability exclusive to air benders. I don't know if you noticed or not. But I'm not an air bender."

"Oooh. Ups." Aang grinned and Zuko shook his head. Then Zuko halted and he turned, to see a pair of golden eyes shining from the cave next to him and he swallowed. "Ren."

Aang jumped quickly up on his feet as well as the large red dragon slowly came outside followed by her blue mate.

"So erhm hi." Zuko held up a nervous hand. "I'm back. And I did what I promised. Dragon hunting has been banned. Dragons are now officially holy creatures to the fire nation, just like they should be. And anyone harming you will be punished… I'm afraid. That's sort of all I can do." he smiled nervously then swallowed. "You will be protected. And so will your babies. As well as I can. I Promise."

The large yellow eyes kept looking at Zuko. Like they were starring deep into his soul and then finally the dragon offered him a single nod. Turned around and walked back inside the cave.

Zuko and Aang looked at each other and then shrugged, then finally dared to go inside only to realize that the female dragon had wrapped herself around the eggs and had closed her eyes going back to sleep.

"Huh? You're sleeping?" Aang asked. "But… Aren't the eggs supposed to be hatched with dragon fire?!"

Now the blue dragon was just laying himself next to his mate and both dragon went back to sleep.

Zuko frowned deeply, then he looked up. "Oh I think I know what's going on."

"What?" Aang asked.

"We have to wait till sunrise." Zuko said. "These are the original fire bending masters Aang! They draw energy from the sun itself. You can't hatch the eggs while the sun is down! The babies has to get sunlight!"

"Ooooooh! Oh I see!" Aang stated and then there was quiet. "So erh… What do we do now?" he asked.

There was silence.

"Erhm. Make ourselves comfortable?" Zuko suggested.

Aang blinked.

"Reflect over our journey and think of our place in the universe?" Zuko then tried.

Aang chuckled. "I guess we might as well." then he glanced at the dragons. Tryingly he stepped closer to Rens sleeping figure and tried to reach out a hand, touching her scales.

One golden eye opened a slight bit to look at Aang, and then she closed her eyes again and Aang grinned taking it as the okay as he sat down and leaned up against the dragon. "Wow… they are warm." he breathed.

Zuko hesitated, but finally dared to sit down next to Aang also leaning against the big body which true enough, was like a huge heating pad and Zuko could almost feel the fire coming from inside of the magnification creature. "Yeaah." he smiled.

"Aw man I just realized. We left all the food with Appa." Aang pouted. "I could so go for one of those tea cakes now."

"They'll be there tomorrow." Zuko yawned as he laid down resting his head against the dragon.

"You… You're going to sleep again?" Aang asked. "How can you sleep again? You already spend half a day sleeping! Are you sure you're not Sokka?"

"Aang." Zuko turned to him. "I hadn't had a full nights sleep since I became fire lord." he reminded him. "Even before that when I was acting fire lord. Also… at least three meetings a day. An ongoing assassins game. Way to much paper work that just never ends! And I always feel like I should finish at least one more so it gets really late. I never realized what a luxury sleep is before!"

"Oh… yeah. You are always working." Aang had to admit. "It sure is good you could come out here. You needed a break."

"Yeah. I think uncle knew. That's why he insisted." Zuko smiled.

"We need to make sure to plan vacations with you." Aang smirked.

"By all means." Zuko smirked then turned so he looked upwards. "I haven't managed to go to the beach yet." he commented. "I want to go there with Mai."

"A beach trip sounds nice." Aang smiled. "That is. If you're okay with letting us come too."

"Could I even stop you if I wanted too?" Zuko asked amused. "Just you know. At least one evening is gonna be Mai exclusive!"

"No problem! Hihiiii!" Aang grinned.

Zuko exhaled deeply as he closed his eyes. "Now quiet down. I have three months worth of sleep I need to catch up on."

"Sure. Sshhh." Aang shushed himself.

It surprisingly barely took any time at all before Zukos deep breaths indicated he was indeed a sleep.

Aang had thought going back to sleep himself was going to be impossible, but the warmth of the dragons, Zukos deep breaths and Aang suddenly realizing the last couple of months had been kind of stressful for him too. He was lulled into sleep as well.

As always. Zuko felt his inner flame stir signaling the sunrise itself waking Zuko from his slumber. As he opened his eyes the first thing he saw was one Avatar curled together and deeply a sleep right next to him, curling up against red scales…. Oh… Right. Dragons.

Zuko looked up just in time for Ren to shake her entire body which send Aang flailing down on the ground. "WOAH!" a surprised Avatar yelled and then landed flat on his face. "Hey! What was that for?!" Aang asked.

Zuko smirked. "Original fire benders. Sun rise." he pointed at the dragons as they both woke from their slumber and stood up towering over Aang and Zuko and then… Ren bowed down, the carefully pick up an egg with her mouth. She flew out of the cave and towards the bridge. Shaw stayed behind as he seemed to guard the two remaining eggs with all of his might. Only for Ren to return and then they each carefully picked up an egg and headed outside.

Zuko and Aang both swallowed and then slowly they walked outside to see both the dragons standing guards over their precious eggs as a thin yellow line of light appeared in the horizon.

Neither Zuko or Aang even dared to move as they looked at the eggs and the two dragons guarding them.

"This is actually happening isn't it?" Aang asked in a high pitched almost squeek. "They are going to hatch them!"

"They have to breath their fire on the eggs." Zuko whispered. "We should probably stand clear."

And then… The sun broke the horizon and the two dragons spread out their wings to lift up in the air.

Wide-eyed Zuko and Aang looked up as the dragons got into position on each side of their eggs and then…. They both breathed their amazing dragon fire.

A pillar in all colors hitting the eggs as the yellow golden glob of the sun rose over the surface of the earth.

Then Aang had to step back from the sheer head and even Zuko had to shield himself with his arm and then… It stopped.

Slowly did Zuko and Aang look up, wide-eyed looking at the eggs which slowly started to shake.

And then the first crack at the first egg happened making Aang scream.

The crackling continued as the egg tipped over and then… A little blue scaly head popped out making a tiny little scream.

"AAARRH! It's so cute! Zuko-Zuko-Zuko!" Aang shouted as he grabbed Zukos sleeve pulling in it making Zuko almost loose footing.

"You don't have to point it out. I'm seeing it!" Zuko assured just as the second egg cracked. And then a second blue head popped out.

"Yaaay!" Aang started to run towards them only for Shaw to block his path and huff annoyed. "Oh. Sorry." Aang blushed while Ren bowed her head to sniff at the small little dragons. Then she began to lick them and the little blue creatures screeched then ran towards her for warmth.

Zuko smiled then he halted as he looked at the last egg which had yet to move.

Aang seemed to catch on to and looked at the remaining egg. "It… It's not hatching." he gasped. "Is something wrong."

Zuko swallowed then looked to Shaw. "Can I just check it?" he asked.

Shaw didn't seem entirely happy. But finally after a slight growl from Ren Shaw stepped aside and allowed Zuko closer.

Zuko hesitated as he walked towards the egg looking down at it. He kneeled and then finally put his hands on the egg… It was warm. Which probably shouldn't be to surprising as the two dragons had just breathed fire on it. "Erhm." Zuko hesitated. "Are you alive in there?" he asked.

There was no response.

Now Ren appeared over Zukos shoulder, a sad voice coming from her throat.

"You think it's… Dead?" Aang asked.

Zuko swallowed then put his head against the egg as if to better feel it and then his eyes widened. "No!" he gasped. "It's not! There's a heart beat! I feel it!"

Rens eyes widened and she made some gasping sounds.

"Hey. You need to come out now. It's time to meet the world." Zuko gasped. "Come on. Don't you want to meet your mom dad and siblings?" he asked.

Aang swallowed.

"Maybe." Zuko removed his hands from the egg. "It just needs a little bit more." he stood up as he took a deep breath and then, he send a stream of fire towards the egg. His rainbow dragon fire and he gasped. "Come on. Come on little guy!" he hissed as he started to sweat, trying to keep the fire up. "I know it's scary. Your mom and dad has been scared. But it's time now. And it's going to be okay. The world is great. There is so much for you to see! Come on!"

And then.. The first crack.

"Zuko… ZUKO IT'S WORKING!" Aang shouted and Zuko grinned.

Then a second crack and finally. A red dragon tumbled out of the egg allowing Zuko to stop the fire.

"YAAAAY! You did it!" Aang beamed as Zuko grinned satisfied while Ren did her business checking the newest baby over.

Zuko couldn't help it. He was mesmerized by the three small baby dragons. Two blues and one red, looking around with wide eyes seeing the world for the very first time as they gurgles and screeched.

Of course Aang couldn't stop himself as he slowly tried to crawl closer, trying to get to touch the small dragons… And Shaw huffed again in warning.

"But." Aang looked up. "I wont hurt them. Pleeaaaaase!" he asked. "They are so cute!"

Shaw narrowed his eyes but didn't move and then finally… Finally Aang was allowed close enough to touch, and the small blue dragon bumped its head into Aangs hand.

Zukos attention though was solely on the little dragon who seemed to have already run out of energy and fell over, then clearly struggled to get back up.

Zuko gasped, and then he swallowed as he gently picked up the little guy. Cradling him close as he breathed deeply to create heat to transfer to his body.

Wide-eyed Aang looked up. "Is that one okay."

Zuko swallowed… He could already feel his own eyes get misty as if he was eight year old and this was one of the wounded birds he used to nurse back to health. "He… He's not as strong as the others." he whispered in a rasp voice. "I think maybe… He was inside of the egg too long."

The red dragon snuggled closer to Zuko as if desperate to get some more of his heat and Zuko breathed deeply in and out to feed his inner flame.

"It's going to be okay right?" Aang asked frightened. "Ren and Shaw wont just leave their baby."

Zuko sniffed then dried his eyes. "No. I don't think they will." he looked up at Ren. "This one is going to need extra attention." he said. "And also… Just because he's the weaker one now doesn't mean it'll stay that way! He can grow up to be a big and strong dragon! I know it!"

"How do you know it's a he?" Aang asked.

Zuko blinked. "I don't know. I just kind of do."

Aang smirked amused a knowing light in his eyes. "What's his name?" he asked.

"Huh?" Zuko asked.

"We gotta name them!" Aang exclaimed. "Uh I know! That's Shan." he pointed at one blue. "And that one is Ru." he pointed at the other one. "So. What's his name?" he asked pointing at the already sleeping baby dragon in Zukos arms.

"He's… Erhm… Druk." Zuko then said then blinked. "Yeah. His name is Druk."

Aang grinned all over his face. "I like that name." he said just as Shaw dropped a big slap of raw meat right in front of them and the two blue dragons was all over it.

"HEY! Stop! Leave some for Druk!" Zuko exclaimed as he hushed them away and cut out a piece for the dragon he was still holding. "You need to be considerate of your brother!" he exclaimed.

Weakly did Druk look up at Zuko and Zuko sighed as he started to cut out tiny pieces he could hand feed to the dragon in his arms. The little girl clearly hungry but still eating slowly, and ones he was done he fell a sleep immediately.

Zuko swallowed. "It should get better now… I think. He's eaten his first meal. And he was hungry. That's good." he said.

"It's going to be okay." Aang assured. "Ren was keeping an eye on it the whole time."

"Yeah… okay." Zuko breathed as he held the red dragon close.

Aang was quiet for a moment then smirked. "You do have to leave him here for now though you know. He's just a baby. He needs his momma and pappa for now."

"Well obviously." Zuko frowned a little confused.

Aang laughed into his hands. "You really don't know do you?"

"Know what?" Zuko asked.

"Ahem." Aang coughed into his hand. "Air bisons! The original air bending masters. Young air benders don't really choose their own bison. The bison choose them. And they become their life long partner! Often you meet your bison when they are just a calf and it's just… You just kind of know. You've been chosen."

"Okay…" Zuko said still completely clueless.

Aang snorted amused. Well… Zuko was probably going to figure it out the day a teenage dragon just showed up at his front porch and would refuse to leave.

And of course it didn't help either that as when Zuko and Aang finally left. Zuko left behind his shirt to help keep Druk warm as Druk needed more heat than the other babies… And Druk had already tangled himself into Zukos shirt.

Zuko looked like a nervous wreck as they walked down the stairs. "He'll be okay right?" he asked. "Ren and Shaw will take good care of him right?"

"Of course they will. He's their baby." Aang laughed amused. And already he was imagining Zuko riding in the sky on a big proud red dragon.

Man! No one would ever be questioning Zukos authority as fire lord when that happened. And it was going to be so cool! Then Aang could have air races against Zuko! Appa vs Druk. He really looked forward to it already.

Also… Zuko was going to look incredible on that dragon. Swooping in from the skies, long black hair sailing after him.

It was like it was meant to be. Zuko the greatest fire lord ever!

Well. As far as Aang was concerned. "We can go check up on them ones in a while you know."

"Yes! Let's do that!" Zuko exclaimed. "I mean… Just to make sure that they are doing okay right? I mean a lot of things could go wrong."

"I'm sure it will be fine!" Aang exclaimed. "Let's just go check up on them because it would be nice. Do we need any other reason?" he asked. "And Druk will want to see you ones in a while."

"You really think so?" Zuko asked.

"Trust me on this." Aang asked. "Also... be prepaired. Dragons grow really fast in their first years."

"Oh. Okay." Zuko nodded. "So let's go soon."

Aang smirked. "Sure thing. Any excuse to get you outside of the palace is pretty good. Also these travels is clearly a good way for you to catch up on sleep." he chuckled.

"Yeaaah. That's really nice too." Zuko smirked and Aang laughed.

Zuko really was the best! And Aang couldn't wait till he got to know Druk! Also... He was really looking forward to see the look on Zukos face ones Zuko realized he had a Dragon companion now.