A/N. I had written a part, but wasn't too happy, so I changed the beginning. I hope it is still good!
I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender
"How about baths?" Katara asked, and Aang smiled.
They had just put some food in their bowls, and were now sitting on the ledge of the fountain. The others were around them, so everyone had heard the question.
"Yes, no offence… But you all stink." Toph put in. The airbender resisted the urge to snort, because, no offence, but Toph smelled the worst of all. But looking around the circle of people, Aang realized… well, most would want to freshen up, and he couldn't blame them. He could smell himself, so he probably stank way more than that.
"There is a bathhouse, but it is only for women." Aang explained, waving towards the building behind the guesthouse, "Men had one, but last time I came here, the roof of that place had caved in, and there was no replacement."
"So… Can't we go in groups? Like, women and guys, separately?" Haru asked. The airbender closed his eyes. He could understand that not everyone understood… But Spirits, he didn't want to change the order of things in the temple…
"We can't. Aang said it was off limit, so we don't go. We can wash in some stream I suppose. That also cleans." Sokka answered instead, and the airbender felt grateful that his friend said what he had been thinking.
"There is one at the bottom of the canyon." Zuko spoke, sitting a little away from them. Aang hadn't thought that the firebender had actually been listening, but now, the prince looked up from his food, as all the others turned around to look at him. Aang himself felt slightly angry. How did Zuko know that? Sure, it was true, but apparently, the firebender had been scouting around quite extensively if he knew what was down in the canyon. How had he even managed to get there?
"That alright then. Katara and Toph can use the bathhouse… Is that okay Aang?" Sokka asked him, to which the airbender nodded. Of course, that was alright… Even if the men had wanted to use it… Well, he would have got over it. He was getting used to it. It was not like there were actually nuns who would chase them out of the women bathhouse now… But he could appreciate the fact that no one protested to washing in the river below.
He saw Katara look at him, with a small, hesitant smile. Remembering the last time they had bathed, in that cave… Aang smiled back. How could he not. He just had to close his eyes and then, he could imagine the best thing in the world…
"Well, in that case, we best get going… And from tomorrow, we are going to get back to usual. Training, planning. There are just over five weeks to the comet now." Katara spoke, as she got up. The waterbender tapped Toph's shoulder, "You too Toph. No getting around it this time."
"The earth is healthy." The blind girl clearly looked annoyed.
"Yes, but your nightly excursion was not good for your smell. For Tui and La, just… don't argue. I'll even heal your feet once more." That sentence was said with a dark look cast towards Zuko. Aang saw how the firebender bend his head down as Katara looked at him.
"A healing session, and I don't have to swim. I stay where I can sit in the water." Toph offered.
"Deal." Katara sighed, "On condition you use soap."
Toph pulled her tongue out, disgusted, but didn't argue.
Thank you, Aang mouthed silently to Katara who smiled, shaking her head.
"We are going to clean up. If any of you weirdos get ideas, don't. I may not feel a lot of movement… But I'll sense your little heartbeats. So, ta-ta." Toph grinned wickedly at them, as Katara pulled her up and began to walk towards the bathhouse.
Aang just closed his eyes. Of course, he would never do such a thing, and nor would any of the others. But the idea of seeing Katara again, like that… Well, he couldn't deny it would be good. But he also knew that… Well, Azula's threat still hung over him, like a dark cloud. If something happened again between him and Katara, the others would learn of it somehow.
If something happened, Zuko would surely know, for he was only a few doors away from the room Katara had used that night… And Aang was planning on returning there tonight. He had been foolish, fleeing as she was trying to explain her own reasons… And if the firebender learned what was happening, and he proved to actually be untrustworthy… Well, their problems would be even worse.
There was nothing he could do about that, at least, not now. They had welcomed Zuko to stay with them… But that didn't mean he trusted him. Aang hated that he was being cautious, and even distrustful. The monks had always said that you should welcome anyone with open arms… friend or foe. And you should never judge before knowing both sides of a story. But it was difficult. If it put only him at risk, he would be completely open with Zuko, and see if the prince would do the same.
But it was not only his life on the line here.
No, it was Sokka… Toph… Haru, Teo, The Duke… All the warriors… And Katara.
So, Aang would not trust the firebender, before he had proven to be trustworthy.
"So, the river?" Teo asked, and Aang looked up to see the sixteen-year-old sitting in his wheelchair a stone's throw away from him, as the others were also standing up and talking to each other. Realizing he had probably not paid attention to the others talking, Aang nodded.
"Yeah, sure… Let's take Appa, that will be easier." He stood up, trying to shake off the dark thought he had been having. Let this afternoon be a small pause in the whole debacle that had been their lives these last few days… And maybe, just maybe, he could even let his own problems rest for some hours.
"Thinking about something else?" Teo grinned, and Aang realized… Realized what the teenager was aiming at.
"Spirits, no!" The airbender answered, with a hand nearly flying to his neck to rub the back of his head.
"Oh... I just thought, last time I saw you, at the Northern Air Temple… I saw how you were looking at Katara. I had hoped there had been some… development. So… Nothing?" Teo sighed, and Aang realized that his friend was meaning well… But he also knew that Zuko was not far away. And if it had only been Teo asking, he would have told the teenager everything, with the biggest grin on his face he could imagine.
But they couldn't trust everyone here. So… for their own safety…. He had to lie.
"No… nothing. It alright, really… I am over that now." Aang said, and the words nearly hurt him physically. How could he say something like that? He would never be over it.
"Ah… Sure." Teo clearly didn't believe him, "Maybe you should talk to her then. We don't know what the future is going to bring. Who knows, maybe you will even get what you want so badly."
That was very… Air Nomad. The carefree, gentle approach to things… Spirits, Aang missed thinking that way.
He nodded, smiling, but it felt sad. He felt bad for lying to his friend… But also, it felt like betraying Katara. By saying there was nothing… But it was better like this. If no one knew… No one could reveal their secret. No one could create a problem.
Turning around, Aang saw that Zuko had not moved from his place against one of the pillars. Sighing, the airbender walked towards the firebender, and, standing in front of him, extended a hand.
"Come on." He said, and the scarred face looked up, with a confused look.
"What?" The firebender asked.
"Well, we are going down to the river. You also need a bath. It will be fun!" Aang responded, still letting his hand hang in front of Zuko, so he could take it.
"Fun? It's bathing. No, I'll stay here…"
"You want to be part of this, no? That means taking part in these things." Aang felt the bite in his voice, and immediately changed his tone, "I mean, if you want, of course!"
The ember eyes looked at him, and Aang knew that gaze. Zuko was trying to calculate the risks. He was trying to guess if they were trying to get rid of him, and if they did, how he could best defend himself.
"Zuko… We can go on hating each other, but… I guess it may be good to break the cycle of hate and distrust. Just… We took a leap of faith with you. You should do the same. We are not going to hurt you. As long as you don't try to hurt us." Aang said, and surprised himself… He actually wanted to believe that the firebender had good inside of him. He wanted to be able to call him a friend one day.
But not yet. Not yet.
Zuko still hesitated a few seconds, but then, took Aang's hand.
The airbender pulled the older boy up, and kept his fingers around the warm hand for a few moments longer than necessary, looking into the ember eyes. Nodding, he released him and turned around.
"Avatar!" Zuko suddenly said, and the airbender turned his head around, "Ehm… I don't actually know your name."
Aang smiled. Spirits, this guy really had no social skills whatsoever.
"Don't call me Avatar, that's something I never wanted to be. Just Aang is fine." The airbender walked over to where Appa was standing up, with an annoyed Momo chittering at the bison. Why, Aang didn't know.
Teo and The Duke were already standing close to Appa, while Sokka and Haru were clearing away the bowls and their cauldron. Behind him, Aang could hear the shuffling sound of hesitant footsteps, and guessed that Zuko had indeed followed him towards Appa.
"Hey buddy… How are you?" He whispered to the bison, who groaned softly, before giving him a small nudge with the big head.
"I know, I don't like it either here. It has changed since the last time we were here, no?" Aang muttered.
"Last time? You… you lived here?" Zuko's voice sounded surprised.
The airbender closed his eyes. If… Well, if they were to trust him, of course, the firebender also had the right to trust them. And by just telling him the truth, so far as possible… It wouldn't hurt.
"No. I lived at the Southern Air Temple, a hundred years ago. But I knew everyone here." Aang sighed. Zuko had probably not known that he was actually a hundred and seventeen years old.
"Oh… You… Agni. Are you serious? You are actually the Avatar my great-grandfather tried to kill? I… I always thought that the Avatar just… well, skipped some generations, and that some Air Nomads survived." Zuko sounded aghast, as if this information was all new to him.
"Yep. That's me. What does the Fire Nation think?" Aang asked, curious how their enemy had tried to explain the survival of an Air Nomad.
"That the Air Dege… The Air Nomads, had secretly spirited some of theirs away, and had made sure to kill the following Avatars from the Water, Earth and Fire elements. And that finally, you came along. But… That means you know how the world looked before." That last sentence was spoken with unabashed curiosity by the firebender, and Aang saw the gleam in the ember eyes. Zuko was actually… interested?
"I was born in the Eastern Air Temple, moved to the Southern one when I was two years old. I was born sixteen years before… Before the war. Yes, I know what a peaceful world is supposed to look like." Aang explained as Sokka and Haru joined them. He saw his water tribe friend look with raised eyebrows as he heard the last part of the airbender's explanation.
Aang bent himself to Appa's head, as the others began to clamber into the saddle. Teo was helped by Haru and Sokka before they climbed into the saddle themselves, and Zuko stayed standing next to the bison, apparently not sure what to do.
"Just go in the saddle. We won't throw you off while flying." Sokka grumbled, and the firebender climbed up on of Appa's paws. Aang smiled as he felt how his friend lowered himself slightly, to make it easier for Zuko.
"So… Zuko. I guess we have never really told you our names…" Sokka began awkwardly, as the prince sat down in the saddle.
"Oh… No, I guess not…" Was the only response.
Aang sighed as he grabbed the reins on Appa's horns. Apparently, Zuko lacked some social skills. Like, how to behave around people in general… As the bison jumped in the air, he turned around.
"Well, you already know my name. The all-devouring menace is Sokka and that is Haru." The airbender pointed gently to each of them, "Toph is the blind earthbender. Just ignore anything she says, it is better that way, believe me. Teo is the one in the wheelchair, and the kid is named The Duke… Don't ask me what his real name is. And the waterbender is Katara…"
Katara… she had been clearly upset these last few hours. Maybe not at him, but at everything in general. Not that he could blame her. Zuko had been a real menace and had done more things to hurt her than Aang could name.
Invaded her home, chased them over the whole world, captured her, stole her mother's necklace, betrayed her in Ba Sing Se…
Oh look… Maybe he could name it all!
"Aang." Zuko spoke softly, "Sokka. Haru. Toph. Teo. The Duke. Katara."
Eh… Nothing else? It sounded as if the firebender was making a list, one that he was carving into the side of his skull, so he could never forget a name.
"Oh, and Toph has nicknames for the people she likes." Sokka laughed, but Aang heard the slight hesitation. His friend had probably observed the same thing. Zuko was noting their names in his memory, but he couldn't understand why. Was it because the firebender wanted to remember their names so he wouldn't make a mistake addressing them… or was it because he was gathering information?
"Nicknames?" Zuko raised his one eyebrow.
"Yeah… Mine is Meathead, or idiot, but that is not really a nickname, I think… She calls Aang Twinkletoes, because she can't feel him as well as the others. Katara is Sugar Queen, or Sweetness." Sokka explained, and the airbender saw the confusion in Zuko's good eye.
"You'll get used to it." Aang smiled, feeling all the more awkward. It was bizarre to explain the old jokes, the routine of their bantering…
"The others don't have… nicknames?" Zuko seemed puzzled.
Does this guy even know what a nickname is?
"Well, no… They have not been with us for very long… Actually, just a day more than you. But we knew them from before." Sokka said. Yeah… from before the invasion. From before the world went even crazier.
"Nicknames are to pester someone. They are not nice." Zuko stated, as if it was the most normal thing to say.
Oh boy.
"You mean, the whole Zuzu business?" Aang couldn't help but smile slightly. It was good to actually talk to someone… Someone new. Someone who didn't know all their problems, all his problems. As they flew over the canyon, the airbender began to direct Appa towards the bottom of the great schism, and they descended into the slight mist.
Aang heard some snickers behind him, and assumed that the others found the nickname Azula had given her brother in that small deserted town in the Earth Kingdom funny.
"Don't…" Zuko began to speak louder than he had before, but after a few moments of hesitation, his voice lowered again, "Yes."
"Listen, I don't mean to be rude or something, but your sister is a bitch. Maybe it was because she called you like that that bothered you. But sometimes, nicknames are nice. Even a show of friendship. That is the case with Toph. We accept her rudeness, directness and name calling because we know it is all coming from a good heart. But never admit that in front of her!" Sokka said, and Aang felt his own heartbeat accelerate slightly, at the mention of Azula. Spirits, even thinking about that woman made him angry.
"No offence taken." Was the only thing Zuko said to that. Spirits… This was awkward. Aang saw the bottom of the canyon appear, and the water was still the same, gently flowing in its riverbed… At least there were some things that didn't change.
They landed, and the airbender let himself slide of Appa's head. Padding the furry cheek of the bison, Aang looked up to see that the temple was shrouded in a thin mist, making it difficult to see if you didn't know it was there.
"So… Could we ask you some questions, as we agreed?" Sokka had also come down, and was now helping Haru with taking Teo down. Zuko looked up from the saddle, and Aang saw how the older boy sighed, and nodded.
"Sure. I will answer everything, because I get it. You don't trust me. Agni, I don't trust you either. But we need each other. So, ask away." The prince answered, for once loud and clear.
"Oh… Alright. So… Why did you come here? How did you know we would be here?" Sokka asked. Aang had known this was going to be the first question, for he and the water tribe boy had discussed it after dropping Zuko off at his room.
"I was already leaving Caldara in the balloon, saw your flying bison. Began to follow it, before losing it. You were going northeast, and the temple here was going to be a logical choice."
"Okay. How did you know it was here, however?"
Aang felt a pang in his heart, knowing he would not like the next answer.
"Uncle took me here the first week of my mission, six years ago. He knew the location, but forbid the crew from going inside. Only him and I were here, I promise. We didn't disturb anything. It was only to check if the Avatar was hiding in the temples."
Had… Had they gone to each temple? If that was the case, Aang had to admit… The part of not disturbing anything seemed true. Otherwise, the Southern Air Temple would not have been filled with Fire Nation corpses.
They were now all standing on the shingles next to the river, and Appa bellowed loudly before jumping in the water. The droplets fell down on them, and Aang couldn't help but laugh, seeing how the ten-ton bison was happily playing around in the water.
"Why did you come then?"
And that was the important question. Sokka and Aang had agreed to ask some, to check if the firebender was telling the truth… And then, to ask why in the spirits name he had come here. Why the change of heart?
"You want to know why I left the Palace to join you?" Zuko asked, and an angry look appeared in his eyes.
"After the North… my uncle and I travelled in the Earth Kingdom. I saw what our soldiers did. Murder, rape, assault. I saw it all. That was the first time I actually saw what we had done. But then, I still thought it was a necessary evil. Uncle tried to explain… But I didn't believe him, for a long time. He told me that during his time as Army Commander, he had been strict on discipline and also… On honour. He would never have permitted his soldiers to do this. But now, it's a policy. Terrorize the local population into submission."
It was the most Aang had heard coming from Zuko, so it surprised him. It didn't sound rehearsed, or even untrue. It sounded like it was coming straight out of the heart.
"I began to see the other side of it. There was evil on both sides. But clearly, the Fire Nation was the cause of that evil. But I was weak. I have no problem admitting that. When I had an opportunity to regain my father's love… I took it. I betrayed my uncle, and you." At that moment, Aang saw the ember eyes look straight at him.
"I know it was wrong, but still, I acted on that selfish desire. So, I apologize to you. After… Afterwards, when I saw what Azula was doing, I regretted it. She took the walls down, killed an innocent person, hung his corpse from the Outer Wall, claiming it was you. It was wrong. But still, I said nothing."
Another person whose blood was on Aang's hands…
"When we got back to the Palace, we got a hero's welcome. I didn't feel like one, not after turning my back to Uncle Iroh. It took me some months, and a talk with him, to realize… What the Fire Nation was doing was not only wrong, but also dangerous. Dangerous for everyone, my own people included. And Ozai didn't care. He doesn't care about whom he has to hurt, as long as his own ambition is satisfied."
Aang noted how Zuko spoke of the Fire Lord. Not as Father, but calling him by his name.
"So, when the sun darkened, I took my chance. I went to see Ozai, explained my whole reasoning… And he called me weak, influenced by my uncle. My Uncle is the best person I know, and the only one I really trust. So, at that moment, I knew. My father would never understand. And then, when the sun brightened again, he attacked me. Immediately. I managed to survive, but knew I had no chance whatsoever to survive if I stayed there. So, I went to find my uncle in prison. I was planning to break him out… but he already had done that himself. I wanted him to teach you, and I guessed you would trust him more than me. But yeah… So, here I am."
Ozai… had attacked his own son?
That was really messed up. Of course, Aang knew that this could be just a cover story, concocted by the Fire Lord and his son. But… Zuko's voice sounded pained, as if it actually hurt him to realize his father considered him weak. And… Thinking about it, Aang realized that Zuko probably wasn't such a good actor, seen his social skills, and the genuine reactions when he had been told about the fact that Aang was a century old.
No… This was either true or the best piece of acting Aang had seen in his life.
The airbender turned towards Sokka, raised an eyebrow, nodding towards Zuko with his chin. The water tribe boy, who had been removing his shirt to jump into the river, just dipped his head once. It was the sign they had agreed on if they believed Zuko. Well… At least that meant that for the moment, they had nothing to worry about… For now.
Aang also began to strip. First, he removed his boots, then his trousers, and finally, stripped the tunic off his upper body. This was such a remote place, he wasn't afraid someone would actually see his tattoos… And then again, what did it change? Everyone knew he was alive.
He heard a sharp intake of breath behind him, and saw how Haru was looking at his back, as he had also been undressing.
"That looks… Well, I guess it was painful what happened there." The earthbender said awkwardly, as the others began to go into the river. The Duke was splashing happily around, as Teo sat on the side of the water, looking at them with a smile. Sokka had already dove straight into the water and was now emerging, completely soaked. And apparently, Zuko wasn't too sure what to do, for he had just pulled off his boots.
"Oh… Yeah, I don't remember much of it. Was out cold for three weeks, so it healed during my coma." Aang explained, stretching. Spirits, the water looked good…
"Chief Hakoda explained that you survived a lightning strike by the princess… It sounded horrible. But to see it…" The earthbender averted his eyes.
"Oh, I survived. Gave Katara the fright of her life however…" The airbender said, as he took a few steps into the water, so that the river got to his knees. Soaking his toes was already such a nice feeling…
"I imagine the others were worried too." Haru said, and Aang thought he detected… a hint of something that sounded a lot like curiosity.
Shit. He needed to avoid talking about Katara. Quickly glancing towards Zuko, he realized the firebender hadn't heard him. Well… At least there was that.
"Oh, yes, of course! But Katara had to heal me, so she spent more time with me when I was unconscious. That's why I said that."
Nice save Aang.
With that, he ducked into the water. Enough talking about old scars… He was here because he wanted to have one carefree afternoon. One… Just one. Tomorrow, they could start to worry again. But not today. Today was for nice things. Even fun! He emerged from the water at a place where you could still stand and shook his head to get the water drops off his bald head. Spirits, that felt good.
Sokka was floating on his back in a deeper part of the river, where you couldn't stand. Aang grinned at the sight and let himself fall back into the water. Opening his eyes under it, he saw where the water tribe boy was floating. Softly making his way towards his friend, he already imagined how he was going to grab the older boy by the waist and pull him down into the deep.
But then, he made the mistake to look down to the bottom.
A skull looked back.
No… Not one.
The whole riverbed was not sand… no, it was covered by bones.
Bones with rotten clothes.
And even in the dark water, Aang saw that the cloth was clearly saffron and orange.
Answers :
Jjsmith103 : Yeah, I really wanted to show that their relationship is not only fluff and sex, but also mutal trust, and that they can resolve their problems by talking. Like adults. And of course, no one is going to trust Zuko immediately. This chapter was really to show Zuko's willingness to be honest, and that Aang wants to trust him, but knows he can't do that because of the others. And of course, I was going to do the whole threating thing, it is just so in character for Katara!
Rak: Sokka really wants for his best friend and sister to be happy, and I can imagine him slapping his forehead hearing how they are creating problems for themselves lol! And yeah, Katara really hates Zuko, but chooses to put that aside for the greater good!