"I think I see a cave below." Aang pointed out.
"Shh. Keep quiet." Sokka reprimanded.
Aang pushed the clouds away and they dropped to the ground with a loud thud; courtesy of Appa. The motion sent bile up Zuko's throat. He swallowed it back down with a wince. After three years at sea, Zuko had a strong stomach. Odd. He didn't dwell on it though. He was exhausted from the journey, but Sokka didn't seem like he was going to let them rest any time soon.
"Great job with the cloud camo, but next time let's disguise ourselves as the kind of cloud who knows how to keep its mouth shut." The Alpha complained.
"Yeah, we wouldn't want a bird to hear us chatting up there and turn us in." Toph scoffed.
"Hey! We're in enemy territory. Those are enemy birds." Sokka pointed up at the puffin on his head. It squawked loudly.
Zuko just raised an eyebrow. "Actually, we don't use birds as spies in the Fire Nation." He deadpanned.
That got a laugh out of Toph, Aang and Katara. The sound filled Zuko's chest with a sudden warmth. It was nice.
They started walking into the cave, only for Sokka to dive over their heads and crash to the ground. The Water Tribe boy looked around before turning to the group. "Well, this is it. This is how we'll be living until the invasion begins."
Oh joy. Zuko really missed sleeping rough.
Sokka continued, "Hiding in cave after cave after cave after cave," he drooped despondently with every word.
"Sokka, we don't need to become cave people," Katara sighed, "What we need is some new clothes."
"Yeah, blending in is better than hiding out." Aang agreed.
Zuko just sighed heavily. He'd never blended in anywhere in his life. Hiding in caves it was for him then. Terrific.
"If we get Fire Nation disguises, we'll be just as safe as we would be hiding in a cave."
Zuko begged to differ, but he said nothing. The last thing he wanted was for the others to realise how much of a liability he was and leave him behind.
"Plus, they have real food out there," Toph added from her spot lounging against some rocks. "Does anyone wanna sit in the dirt and eat cave hoppers?" she punched the wall for emphasis, sending several of the white bugs scattering. Momo eagerly snatched one up and started munching.
"Looks like we got outvoted sport." Sokka said, slightly disgusted. "Let's get some new clothes."
The others nodded and started making their way towards the cave entrance. Zuko sighed and just sat down to wait for them to come back.
Aang glanced back at him. "Hey, Zuko, aren't you coming?"
"What's the point? New clothes won't make me any less recognisable." He grumbled, gesturing to his scar.
"New clothes wouldn't hurt though." Sokka shrugged.
"You don't have to come into town with us if you really don't want to." Aang pleaded.
"Fine. I suppose a hood will have to be enough."
"Great!" Sokka beamed and pulled Zuko to his feet. Zuko's face flushed as he caught himself on Sokka's shoulder. Sokka's face was equally bright.
"Ugh, come on, you guys. Quit wasting time." Toph complained.
Zuko and Sokka broke apart and quickly hurried to catch up. They found an isolated house in the rocks. It must have been laundry day because there were several lines of clothes hung up outside. They crouched behind a rock, watching.
"I don't know about this. These clothes belong to somebody." Aang whispered hesitantly.
"I call the silk robe!" called out surprisingly Katara, excitedly. She jumped over the rock and dashed through the lines, snatching fabric as she went.
"But if it's essential to our survival then I call the suit." Aang grinned as he followed after Katara. Toph followed after him with little deliberation on what she wanted. While Sokka meticulously selected his choice. Zuko followed cautiously, picking the softest silk tunic he could find.
When they snuck back to the rocks, he twisted Sokka and Katara's hair up into the traditional Fire Nation top knots. It felt odd to be styling anyone's hair, let alone Alphas. But they looked good. Especially Sokka.
"Thanks, Zuko!" Sokka chirruped, "Now can we please get changed now?"
"I'll meet you guys back at the cave when you're done exploring." Zuko said.
"Okay, see you later!" Aang waved cheerfully.
Zuko managed to return it not as awkwardly as possible. And he didn't get lost on the way back to the cave. But then he blushed while changing with Appa outside- as if the bison cared at all. But Zuko had always had a strong sense of privacy that he defended viciously. Maybe spending so long surrounded by Alphas, even if they were his family, and strangers. Or what could happen if he allowed himself to be vulnerable.
"Looks like it's just you and me for a while, then." He murmured to the bison. Appa grunted sleepily and Zuko realised how tired he was. When was the last time he'd gotten a good night's rest again? He couldn't remember. "Appa, you have the right idea." He mumbled, barely containing a yawn. The bison rumbled in what Zuko was pretty sure was an invitation. He cautiously stepped closer. When he wasn't bitten, he curled up on one of Appa's legs and nestled against his fluffy side. The bison was soft: the kind of soft he'd been missing since his banishment. He'd missed his silky nests to no end. Appa's fur wasn't quite the same, but Zuko was practically purring anyway. "You don't mind if I stay here a while, do you?"
Appa grunted. Zuko took that as a no. He didn't think he could move if he wanted to. Sleep was closing in on him fast.
"Shh! Don't wake him."
"But where's Aang?"
"I'm sure he's fine, Katara. Is it just me or is that the most adorable sight ever?"
"Sokka!"
"Ugh. Are you guys always this loud?" Zuko groaned. He sat up slowly, rubbing sleep from his bleary eyes.
"Sorry Zuko." Sokka replied sheepishly. "We'll try and keep it down next time."
"Zuko, have you seen Aang anywhere? He disappeared in town and we can't find him anywhere." Katara interrupted.
Zuko blinked. Missing Avatar= recipe for disaster. "No, I haven't."
Katara moaned. "I was hoping he came back here."
"If he did, I didn't see him. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry. It's not your fault," Sokka soothed, "Aang'll be fine. He can take care of himself. Plus, Momo "
"I hope you're right." Katara sighed.
It was nearly sunset by the time the Avatar returned. They had lit a fire and were huddling around it in case he hadn't been kidnapped and came back on his own. Katara's scent was drenched in worry. It was starting to make Zuko feel sick. Then Aang strolled in. In a- school uniform?
"Where have you been? We've been worried sick." Katara demanded.
"I got invited to play with some kids after school."
Sokka shot upright. "After what?" he screeched.
"I enrolled in a Fire Nation school. And I'm going back tomorrow." Aang declared.
Sokka looked two steps away from a heart attack. "Enrolled in what?" He hit the ground not unlike a plank of wood.
"That explains the outfit." Zuko sighed.
"Yeah. You couldn't have mentioned that earlier?" Aang asked, though he didn't seem angry about it.
Zuko shrugged. "I didn't see what you took."
"Oh well. I had fun today, so it worked out in the end."
Sokka recovered and dragged himself to sit on a rock with the rest of them. "Aang, I'm trying to be mature and not immediately shoot down your idea. But it sounds… really terrible."
"Yeah, we got our outfits. What do you need to go to school for?" Toph asked.
"Every minute I'm in that classroom I'm learning new things about the Fire Nation." Aang explained. Zuko blinked in surprise. Aang wanted to learn about Fire Nation culture? Zuko's people for so long had been seen as faceless monsters. that he was stunned by Aang giving them a chance. His heart stuttered in his chest.
"I already have a picture of Firelord Ozai." Aang whipped the poster out so fast that Zuko didn't have time to brace himself before coming face to face with his father's cold eyes. His already unsteady heartbeat shot up. It pounded wildly under his ribs. He clutched the rock he was sat on to hide the shaking of his hands. His face felt clammy. He couldn't turn away from the illustration's gaze. His own mind filled it with menace and contempt. The words rang in his ears like a spectre.
"And here's one I made out of noodles."
Zuko felt whiplashed. The poster was replaced by one that was indeed covered in very artistic noodles. He almost laughed at the insanity of Aang's creation. The torrent of fear he'd just felt seemed continents away from this picture. He felt dizzy and breathless, but calmer.
Toph also looked a little more relaxed.
"Impressive I admit," Sokka conceded, "But I still think it's too dangerous. Plus, we have Zuko anyway."
"I guess we'll never find out about the secret river, then." Aang shrugged, "It goes right to the Fire Lord's palace. We were supposed to learn about in class tomorrow…"
"Hmm… I am a fan of secret rivers." Sokka said.
"You know there is no secret river, right?" Zuko croaked. He cleared his throat. Toph frowned suspiciously.
Aang shrugged unabashedly. "Yeah, but who knows what else I might learn about?"
"What's wrong with just asking Zuko?" Toph asked.
"Well, no offense Zuko, it's not the same as really experiencing it. And if I start learning about the Fire Nation, I'll know what questions to ask and what I want to know more about. Right?"
"I think it makes sense." Zuko murmured quietly, just hoping no one told him to be quiet or that his opinion didn't matter.
"Fine, let's stay a few more days." Sokka sighed.
"Flamey-o Hotman!" Aang cheered.
"We… we don't say anything like that." Zuko said.
Aang just shrugged. "You used to. And I think it should make a comeback." Then he was running off again.
Zuko sighed. He really wanted to go back to sleep. Which, thankfully, they did after a quick dinner. He much preferred Appa's soft fluff to the hard, rocky ground under his sleeping bag, but who was he to complain.
Aang left early the next morning for school. Zuko just sighed at his enthusiasm. Actually… he was worried about the Avatar. The Fire Nation education system was… not kind, to say the least. Mai and Ty Lee had complained extensively about it, though Azula boasted non-stop. As an Omega, Zuko hadn't been allowed to attend an actual school and had merely had private tutors. But he knew none the less how cruel the system was from the gossip of the servants and guards. And he did not think Aang was prepared for it.
"What's on your mind, Sparky?" Toph asked as she plonked herself down next to him.
"I'm just- I'm just worried about the Avat- Aang."
"Why? It's just school, I think he can handle it."
"This is Fire Nation school. And, well, you've seen how harsh the Fire Nation is."
"Yeah, but… isn't that just with the other nations? Not their own children?" Sokka asked.
Zuko shook his head. "Especially with their own children."
"Did you go to school?" Katara asked.
Zuko shook his head. "Father didn't let me. He said it was unbecoming for an Omega to mingle with so many Alphas. Azula got to go though."
"Seriously?" Toph scoffed.
Zuko just shrugged. "In the Fire Nation, Omegas have always been seen as lesser. They're allowed to go to school, but a lot of families home school their Omega children if they can afford it. It's not considered polite for Omegas to be around strange Alphas for long periods of time."
Both Katara and Sokka were gaping at him, while Toph just scowled at the ground. "That's stupid," she growled, "Omegas aren't any less capable than anyone else. They're people too!"
"I guess." Zuko sighed.
"Zuko, you're an Omega and you're awesome." Toph snapped.
"Azula was always better." Zuko muttered back, cowering away from the Earth bender slightly.
She softened. "I doubt it."
"I can't believe we're not over this yet," Katara groaned, "Why can't everyone just be equal?"
"I don't know." Zuko sighed.
"Well, it doesn't matter what you are to us." Sokka said decisively.
Zuko smiled. "Thanks. That means a lot to me."
"No problem."
The group drifted into their own separate activities. Zuko ran through his much neglected katas and meditations. The familiar movements helped ease his nerves and focus his mind. He'd been restricting his Fire bending so much over the past few months that he nearly cried with the swell of freedom. And the others let him. They let him practice his bending freely and didn't immediately turn on him. He hadn't expected that too feel so good.
"Katara! Sokka! I need you guys to be my parents!"
Zuko glanced over at the panicked Avatar running over.
"Uh Aang, did you hit your head on something?" Sokka asked.
"No! I got in trouble at school and the headmaster wants to have a meeting with my parents, so…" Aang explained in a rush.
Zuko slapped a hand over his face, suddenly feeling very tired. "Alright. Katara, can I do something with your hair? It'll make you look a little older?"
"Uh sure." She shrugged and sat down in front of him. He carefully twisted her hair into two rounded bunches.
"There."
"Thanks, Zuko."
"Speaking of looking older," Toph grinned conspiratorially, "Put these down your shirt." She held up two rounded rocks. "They'll really make you look older."
Katara scowled but sighed. "Fine."
How that then ended with Katara having a rolled up sleeping bag under her shirt as a fake baby bump and Sokka having acquired a beard, Zuko didn't know. But there they were and off they went.
"You wanna get comfy on Appa? They might be awhile." Toph asked.
Zuko only deliberated for a moment. "Yes please."
If anything, having Toph there made it even better than the day before. He'd never been able to share his nest with anyone before. Though Appa was far from a nest, it gave him the same sense of safety and comfort that it should have. Toph seemed quite pleased with herself from her seat on Appa's other leg. The peaceful quiet was blissful. Unfortunately, it didn't last for long.
"That settles it! No more school for you, young man!" Sokka mock roared. Zuko flinched back, trying to hide himself in Appa's fur. Toph squeezed his hand gently. He managed a tight smile for her. He belatedly realised she couldn't see it, but she seemed to understand anyway.
"I'm not ready to leave," Aang protested, "I'm having fun for once. Just being a normal kid. You don't know what it's like, Sokka. You get to be normal all the time."
"Ha, ha." Toph crowed.
Sokka frowned. "Listen guys, those kids are the future of the Fire Nation. If we wanna change this place for the better, we need to show them a little taste of freedom." Aang said.
"What could you possibly do for a country of depraved little fire monsters? No offence, Zuko."
Zuko just growled lowly. He nuzzled against Appa to calm himself down.
"I'm gonna throw them a secret dance party!" Aang grinned. He accompanied his statement with a bizarre slapping motion. Zuko wasn't the only one who was stunned by Aang's idea.
"Go to your room." Sokka snapped.
"Aang, you do realise dancing is forbidden in the Fire Nation, right?" Zuko asked.
Aang rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know. That's why we need to do it. To show them a good time."
"If you're sure…" Zuko said doubtfully.
"Oh, I am." Aang grinned.
Yeah, Zuko was terrified.
If Zuko had to light one more candle, he was going to light Aang on fire.
"I can't believe we're having a dance party. It seems so… silly." Sokka complained.
"Don't think of it as a dance party but as a cultural event celebrating the art of fancy footwork." Aang shrugged. Combined with a ridiculous kicking.
"They're coming!" Toph called out, "Everyone stop bending."
Aang jogged over to Appa. "Sorry buddy. You should probably wait out back."
Appa growled but plodded further into the cave.
"I know, you've got fancier feet than anybody and six of em."
"Don't worry Appa," Zuko sighed, pulling up his hood, "I'm coming with you."
Appa's rumble of approval echoed through the cave.
The music that followed was chirpy and bright. Zuko smiled. The cheerful laughter made him smile. It had been so long since anything about his nation had been able to do it. He combed his fingers through Appa's fur to work out the knots and just listened. It certainly sounded like Aang's plan had actually worked. The kids really sounded like they were enjoying themselves. Zuko just hoped that there would be more days like that- days that wouldn't have to be secret.
Aang, Katara, Toph and the still bearded Sokka came running out of the cave all adorned with bright grins.
"Come on, let's go." Aang said as he leapt onto Appa's head.
Zuko scrambled into the saddle along with the others and Appa took flight.
"We're safe, Sokka. You can take off the moustache now." Katara laughed.
"Oh no I can't," Sokka said, "It's permanently glued to my skin."
"I could burn it off for you?" Zuko offered.
"No thanks! I'm good!" Sokka squawked.
"Way to go, Dancy Pants. I think you really did help those kids." Toph smiled. "You taught them to be free."
"I don't know," Aang replied bashfully, "It was just a dance party, that's all."
"Well, that was some dance party, Aang." Katara said and pressed a kiss to his cheek. His face lit up. At least it was someone other than Zuko for a change.
"Flamey-o, sir, flamey-o." Sokka applauded.
"Even if it was just a dance party, I know it helped them. It's the kind of thing I needed when I was younger. Thank you, Aang. It means a lot that you gave them a chance like that." Zuko mumbled shyly.
The smile that stretched across Aang's face was worth gold. "Any time, Zuko."
