"He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted." – Lao Tzu

Zuko wasn't used to anyone waking up before him, but sick infants don't sleep well to say the least. He awoke to the sound of a soft crying. He peeled his eyes open, and the morning light was shining in through the cave opening. He looked over to the kid, who was currently working up to throw a massive fit. She reared her hand back and slapped a still sleeping Jet across the face. Hard. Harder than he thought a baby could slap. Like seriously, she slapped the dog shit out of him.

Zuko smirked as Jet jolted awake and held his face in shock. Jet blinked his eyes, genuinely hurt.

"What the hell man?" he asked, and the kid reared her hand again. "No!" he scolded. "I'm up! I'm up!"

Zuko stifled a chuckle in his throat. At least someone was willing to slap him.

"What are you laughing at?" Jet scolded.

Zuko shrugged his shoulders with a grin. Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.

He got up and brushed the dirt from his clothing. He eyed the entrance to the cave, and something was missing. He pondered as Jet handled the now screaming child.

"Hey, Jet," he said plainly in between screams.

"Little busy," Jet replied.

"I think your elk thing is gone," Zuko noted, ignoring him.

"No, it's not," Jet replied without looking. "Go look outside."

"You go look outside. It's your elk," Zuko noted.

"I'm telling you. It hasn't gone anywhere. Prove me wrong," Jet said as Tikka kicked and screamed. "And you, miss thang, need to chill out."

Zuko sighed. Got him with the old 'prove me wrong' trick. He went and looked outside, and there it was.

"It's out here," he said, watching the creature stalk something in the snow.

"Told you," Jet replied smugly.

Zuko sighed again. It was like he was with two children.

"I'm gonna' go get the balloon ready," Zuko said plainly.

Jet didn't reply. Zuko supposed he was a little busy. Not that he cared about a reply anyway.

He went and dusted the snow that had formed on the balloon. This day was much nicer than the previous. Not a cloud in the sky.

Jet emerged a few minutes later with a much calmer child strapped to his chest. Man must be a fucking miracle worker.

"What is that thing anyway?" Jet asked.

"An air balloon," Zuko answered, like it was obvious.

"Aren't all balloons air balloons," Jet replied.

Zuko furrowed his brow. Smartass. "It's a hot air balloon."

"Ah," Jet said with a smirk. "Filled with hot air. Much like its owner."

"It's advanced Fire Nation technology," Zuko noted, ignoring his comment.

"It's stupid," Jet replied.

"Oh, and what do you have? A stupid elk," Zuko retorted.

"Her name is Rosebud, first off. And she's not stupid, second off. And third off, she's a cat deer. You should know that. They're from the 'homeland'," Jet retorted. "Oh, and look, look, look. She's catching breakfast right now. What can your balloon do?"

Zuko looked over the cat deer, who currently had a skunk-possum hanging from its mouth. "That's disgusting," he noted. "And a balloon can fly."

"Flying is for pussies," Jet noted. "Fire it up."

"You're not coming with me," Zuko said.

"Duh," Jet replied. "I'm following you."

"Not the first time you stalked me," Zuko grumbled.

"It was one time," Jet defended. "And don't act like you didn't stalk the avatar all over the world."

Zuko thought for a moment. Okay, he had to give him that one.

"Just get your stupid cat deer and come on," he said as he dug from the gondola. "And here. In case you get lost." Zuko tossed him a document tube with a Fire Nation map on the inside. "I'm going to the edge of the island. I'm pretty sure the avatar is at the Western Air Temple."

"How do you know that?" Jet asked.

"Because he's an air bender," Zuko noted. "And trust me. Nobody's better at finding the avatar than me."

Jet thought for a moment. Okay, that was fair enough.

"Well, thanks pretty boy. We'll meet you there," Jet said.

"Stop calling me that!" Zuko spat.

Jet smirked. "Hear that, kid. I think I made him mad."

Tikka smiled, and Jet was happy to see it. She seemed to be feeling at least a little bit better. Granted she had the energy to slap the piss outta' him.

"You're so lucky you have that kid," Zuko grumbled. "That's the only reason I'm helping you."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Jet replied. "Hurry up. You're moving like you got daylight hanging off of ya."

"That's not a saying!" Zuko spat.

"Yes, it is," Jet said confidently. "Read a book."

Zuko sighed. "Just meet me there."

…

It was a half day later when Jet saw the balloon descending from the sky. It was much easier to navigate when he could actually see. The trio followed in the direction that it had landed and came to the beach. He looked down it and spotted the balloon. He trotted towards it and slid off Rosebud.

"Now what?" he asked, surveying the endless ocean.

"Well, the temple is across the water on its own island," Zuko said.

"Okay, so let me fly with you," Jet said.

"I thought flying was for pussies," Zuko noted.

"Well, asshole, I can't really swim across, now can I?" Jet said, gesturing towards a smiling Tikka.

Zuko sighed. Damn cute ass kid. Making him be nice.

"Just get on the balloon," he said, defeated.

Jet smirked and tugged Rosebud's reins. Zuko's face fell.

"No," he argued. "That thing won't fit!"

"Well, I can't leave her. She's part of the family. Isn't that right, Rosebud?" Jet said and scratched her face. She tapped her feet happily.

"Just release her into the wild!" Zuko suggested. "She'll be fine!"

"It was nice knowing you Rose. Go on girl, be free. You deserve it," Jet said as he unenergetically shooed her away.

She didn't move.

"See? She doesn't wanna' go. She loves me."

"Where is she gonna' fit?" Zuko asked.

Jet moseyed up to the balloon and gestured inside. "Right here. Look, there's two seats. One for me, one for you. And she can be in the space in the middle."

"That's not gonna' work," Zuko noted.

Jet made a clicking noise and shimmied his sword into his hand. He lifted it suspiciously close to the cloth of the balloon and waved it around. "Sure would be a shame if something happened to this balloon," he said casually.

"Stop!" Zuko exclaimed. "Just fucking put her on the balloon!"

Jet smirked. "Go sit first. Unless you wanna' climb over her."

Zuko reluctantly did. He scowled as Jet led the deer into the gondola. She backed up towards Zuko, and his face went hot.

"Absolutely not!" Zuko exclaimed. "You're getting the ass end. It's your deer."

"I can't take the ass end," Jet said from his seat opposite. He closed the door to the gondola with a smirk. "I have a baby. Can't have deer ass in the baby's face."

"Really? You're pulling the baby card?" Zuko spat. "It's my balloon! My rules!"

"Oh, so you're just gonna' live with yourself knowing you put a deer ass in a baby's face?" Jet asked.

"Well, give me the baby!" Zuko exclaimed as Rosebud's back legs rubbed against him. He leaned away and grimaced. She swung her head around and looked at him unapologetically.

"You don't even know her name," Jet noted as he peered around Rosebud. "Why would I let you hold her? Especially flying over the ocean."

"Well, what's her name?" Zuko asked.

"Tikka," Jet said.

"Well, let me hold Tikka and we can go," Zuko bargained.

"Hmm," Jet pretended to think for a moment. "No. Only I hold the baby."

"What? You think I can't hold a baby?" Zuko asked.

"She doesn't like you," Jet said.

"Oh, really? She said that?"

"Yeah. She did. It's not my fault you can't speak baby."

"Ugh! You're impossible!" Zuko spat.

"Just fly the damn balloon!" Jet spat back.

Zuko shoved passed the deer and stood in front of the burner, having to squeeze himself in the tiny space that was left. He put his hand out to heat the air.

"What are you doing?" Jet asked, suddenly very serious.

"I have to heat the air," Zuko answered. "That's what makes it fly."

"With… with bending?" Jet asked, as if he figured there was an alternative.

Zuko's frustration with the situation was suddenly nonexistent. As much as he didn't want to show it, Jet was afraid. At one point, Zuko would have relished in that fact. But now it just felt shameful. Because Jet had been fearless when facing him before. So, Zuko knew he wasn't fearful for himself. He was afraid he'd hurt the kid, and that… that felt pretty damn awful.

"It only takes a little to get it going," Zuko assured, unsure of what else to say. He wanted to tell Jet that he wasn't his father. That he wasn't some heartless monster that would hurt a kid, but he knew it would fall on deaf ears. That was something he had to show. It wasn't something he could simply tell.

Jet said not a word but gave him an uncertain nod. He tightened his arm around Tikka and looked off to somewhere in the distance. He flinched out of the corner of Zuko's eye as the flames left his palm. He made sure to heat the air quickly and attentively, and the balloon heaved itself from the earth. He sat back down without a word, and the rest of the journey was made without bicker.

…

It was dusk when the gondola touched ground on air nomad land.

The two made camp separately, and Jet had been unusually compliant when they were departing the balloon. He hadn't said much the whole ride, as if the reminder that Zuko was a bender had sent him into a state of shock. A reopening of old wounds.

Zuko gave him space. He knew he shouldn't care, but for some reason he did. A lot. It bothered him well into the night.

He didn't want anyone to fear him. He didn't want for Jet to have to clutch, ah what was her name, Tikka, to his chest every time he was around. He didn't want for him to flinch when he raised his hands, but he was very aware that Jet had every right to do those things.

Jet was a living wound his father had left in the world; One that'd been left open to fester and rot. Zuko always assumed saving the world would be in grand, sweeping gestures. But perhaps he should start smaller. Clean one wound at a time. He may not be able to prevent the scar after, but at least he could sew it shut.

Not to mention his anxiety about joining the avatar to top it all off, but that was a matter for the morrow. Tonight, he'd make peace. One wound at a time.

He made his way towards Jet's camp, but his feet would have preferred him stay put. He had to drag himself along, a strange anxiety bubbling in his chest. He wasn't afraid of Jet. Not at all really. He knew he could defeat him if he had to, but this anxiety was something else he couldn't quite place.

His feet padded in silence as he made it to the edge of the camp. Jet must have been already in his tent from the look of things. The fire burned by its lonesome. A cold breeze sent the smoke off into the cloudless night sky.

He'd made it here, but he didn't know what to do now. His uncle always told him he never thought things through, and he supposed not much had changed. He stood there at the edge of the camp unsure of what to do with himself. Should he call out? No, that might be weird. Should he knock on the wooden stakes that held the tent up? No, surely that would send Jet into a panic. He shifted on his feet and went to go back to his own camp.

A soft humming permeated the silent air. He looked over his shoulder at the camp. Was… was Jet singing? He stopped and listened. He was. Must be singing to the kid, fore she was giggling along to it. He couldn't distinguish the words to the song, but the whole thing was… awfully cute. Even if he couldn't see it.

He shook the thought from his head. Jet was not cute. Jet was an asshole. Jet carried hook swords and had tried to slice his head off with them. Jet was a thief and a ruffian. A street rat with no manners. A cocky prick with a head comprised of nothing but smartass comments.

But he was good to the kid. Zuko had to admit that. Much better than his own father to say the least. And he supposed that was respectable in its own right.

Unable to think of the right thing to say and unwilling to interrupt such a moment, he went back to his own camp.

…

Jet went to find Zuko in the morning after packing up. No map existed of the air nomad island, so he supposed he could use some more help. As much as he didn't want to admit it.

He supposed he should apologize too. He'd been distant with Zuko and he hadn't done anything wrong. He had helped Tikka, and Jet had treated him like he'd set her on fire. He just… couldn't help it. All he'd ever known fire bending for was destruction and pain and heartache and hell and… and and and then it was right in his face and he couldn't do anything about it… He'd felt helpless. Which wasn't new to him. But it was much easier to withdraw into himself than it was to explain that. So, that's what he had done. Besides, there was no way he was letting Zuko see him be vulnerable. He was the prince of the Fire Nation for spirits sake.

He sighed, pushing those thoughts away. Today was a new day. Today was the day he joined the avatar. It was going to be a good day.

He led Rosebud behind him this morning, figuring the short walk wasn't worth saddling up for. He stopped dead in his tracks when he heard Zuko's voice through the trees. Who the hell was he talking to? Jet's guard immediately went back up as he left Rosebud behind and slinked through the underbrush to investigate.

"Hello ... Zuko here, but I guess you probably already know me, sort of. Uhhh ... so, the thing is I have a lot of firebending experience, and I'm considered to be pretty good at it. Well, you've seen me, you know, when I was attacking you. Uhhh ... yeah, I guess I should apologize for that. But anyway…"

Is this nerd talking to himself?

Jet smirked as he came out from the bush. He was talking to himself. He was practicing what he was going to say to the avatar. Jet knew he was a bit awkward, but not this awkward. He sat on a rock nearby and curled his legs underneath him. There was no way he was missing this.

"I'm good now. I mean, I thought I was good before, but I realize I was bad, but anyway, I think it's time I joined your group and taught the Avatar firebending."

A badgerfrog croaked at him from its perch. Jet wanted to let a loud laugh spill from him but held it back. He was gonna' sit here until Zuko noticed him on his own. It wasn't like he was hidden. Like at all. Even Tikka was smiling at the show.

"Well, what's your answer?" Zuko spat.

The badgerfrog hopped on his head before jumping off into the woods, and Zuko's shoulders fell. Jet felt for him. Poor guy was talking to a frog and even the frog didn't want to talk to him.

"Yeah ... that's what I'd say, too. How am I supposed to convince these people that I'm on their side? What would Uncle do?"

Jet smirked and plucked a piece of grass to stick in his mouth. Oh, this was gonna' be good.

"'Zuko, you have to look within yourself to save yourself from your other self. Only then will your true self, reveal itself.' Even when I'm talking for him I can't figure out what he means. What would Azula do? 'Listen, Avatar, I can join your group, or I can do something unspeakably horrible to you and your friends. Your choice.' I guess I'm just not that good at impersonations." The frog jumped back in front of him and croaked.

"I thought your uncle one was pretty good," Jet said casually. "Don't know about the other one though."

Zuko jumped in his skin. "Jet!" he spat, unable to keep his cheeks from going hot. "How – how long have you been sitting there?" he sputtered.

Jet never thought he'd see the day, but Zuko was blushing. It looked rather cute accompanied with his scowl. He'd always kinda' had a thing for him, ever since the ferry. Time doesn't heal all things, he supposed. But he had to keep a rein on it. Things weren't the same as they were back then.

"Long enough to know that you're more of a dork than I thought," Jet answered casually. He uncurled his legs and stood, straightening the long fur coat draped around him. Tikka's head popped up from the opening and smiled at Zuko.

Zuko tried to will the blood out from his cheeks as Jet approached. "At least I'm not wearing a women's fur coat!" he spat defensively.

Jet smirked, much to his dismay. "You're just jealous you can't pull it off. But here let me show you something. Call it a life lesson."

Zuko's cheeks stayed flushed as Jet eyed his slumped shoulders. "Stand up," Jet said as he rounded his body. He planted one hand on Zuko's lower back and the other gripped the collar of his shirt. "Straight," he added as he yanked his body straight.

Zuko's heart fell as Jet's grass brushed the back of his neck. And why was he letting Jet touch him anyway? He should deck him in the mouth for this. Oh, yeah. He had the fucking kid, so Zuko was helpless in this situation. "Shoulders back," Jet added as he gripped his shoulders and pulled them back.

"And say shit with your chest," Jet suggested. "Much more convincing that way."

Zuko stayed silent, his embarrassment at the situation too much to bear.

"Well?" Jet said expectantly, hands still on his shoulders.

"We're not doing this," Zuko said as sternly as his voice would allow, turning around and facing Jet. His shoulders instinctively fell, but he manually pulled them back once more.

"Well, then come the hell on pretty boy. We got ground to cover," Jet said.

Zuko swallowed the lump in his throat as Jet turned away and went to fetch Rosebud. Man, what the hell was that?

He sheepishly gathered his things.

…

Jet surveyed from on top of Rosebud, very much confused.

"So… you said the temple was up here?" he asked, seeing nothing but flat fields of grass dotted with snow.

"Yeah," Zuko answered.

Jet furrowed his brows. It's like he was intentionally difficult.

"Well, where the hell at?" he asked.

"You can't see it yet," Zuko answered.

Jet sighed. "Well, is it invisible?" he asked sarcastically.

"No, it's not invisible! It's underneath the cliff!" Zuko spat.

"Well, you coulda' just said that," Jet retorted.

The two fell quiet once more. Jet looked down at Zuko. He smirked, suddenly coming up with a thought.

"You know, with me on my mighty steed and you walking, its like I'm the prince and you're the squire," he noted.

Zuko sighed. Spirits how did he end up with such a moron? "Squires don't hang out with princes. They hang out with knights. And they don't exist anyway."

"Well, I could be a knight," Jet said casually. "I've read a book or two. I know what's up."

Zuko laughed a bit. "Yeah, right."

"Why couldn't I be? I still got my armor on under here," he noted. "Why are you walking anyway? Why not take the balloon?"

"Flying up on the avatar might not be the best choice," Zuko answered.

Jet thought for a moment. Yeah, probably not.

They came up to the edge of the cliff, and Jet slid off Rosebud and peered over the side. "So, now what?"

"We have to grapple down," Zuko answered.

Jet furrowed his brows. "That's a whole lot of fuck that," he said, gesturing towards Tikka. "How about this? You go join the avatar, then gently request that he come pick us up on Appa."

"You make it sound soo easy," Zuko said, unable to hide the uneasiness in his voice.

"Well, what other choice do we have?"

"You mean what other choice do you have?" Zuko asked.

"Yeah, whatever. Ooh, and while you're down there, see if my gang is down there too," Jet added.

Zuko sighed. "Just wait up here." He swung the rope over the edge and slid down it without another word.

Jet looked over the side as he did, not peeling his eyes from the prince until he'd touched ground. A familiar groan sounded in the distance. He looked up, and Appa was flying overhead.

He waved his hands to flag them down, but to no avail. He sighed. Guess he should just wait.

…

It was a few hours later, just as Jet was beginning to wonder what the hell was going on, when Zuko returned a sopping wet, defeated mess. Jet could fully assume that Katara was none too happy about seeing him. He remembered her wraith. He'd felt it more than once.

"I'm guessing it didn't go well," he said, no joking in his voice.

Zuko didn't respond, just lifted his soaking shirt over his head and wrung it out.

Jet felt for him. He looked thoroughly spanked.

"You – you didn't happen to see if the Smellerbee and Longshot were there, did you?" he asked softly.

Zuko looked to him sympathetically, and he didn't have to answer for Jet to know.

Jet felt a lump form in his throat. He was never going to find them. He'd fully lost his family.

He gathered Tikka without another word, not even caring that he couldn't descend the temple tonight. He'd figure something out tomorrow. He always figured something out.

The two made camp at the edge of the woods, not even caring enough to make space away from one another. There was no triumph for either of them this day.

But tomorrow, well, maybe something would be there for them tomorrow.