They set out for the party the moment that the first light of dawn touches the dark sky.

Hiro leads the way; he's the most awake, being used to the near constant night shifts of guard duty. Chika stays at the cottage, with Lo and Li. The others, with the exception of Zuko, managed to sneak in a few hours of sleep, but most are still groggy.

They've ditched their beach clothes for slightly more formal party attire; Hiro changed his tank top and swimming shorts for a traditional Fire Nation tunic and baggy pants, loose enough to hide his thick-bladed dagger in.

Again, even at a party anything could happen.

When they arrive, Chan greets them at the door. He seems surprised to see them arrive so early, but nevertheless lets them in without a hassle.

"Alright everyone, don't do anything rash and let me know if anyone's bothering you," Hiro advises before everyone splits off into the slowly gathering party. Mai rolls her eyes at him.

"Whatever, Dad." She remarks, before leaving with Zuko to sit down on a bench.

Ouch. Was he really being that overprotective?

Oh well, better safe than sorry. His job, and more likely his life, was resting on their well-being.

From a table loaded with an assortment of Fire Nation beach food, Hiro sees Yu Shan wave to him. He strides over, and the other teen gives him another white-toothed grin.

"Hey Hiro, glad you could make it!" Yu Shan holds his hand out for a fist bump, which Hiro bumps after a moment.

"Of course! Seems like a fun party, I wouldn't want to miss it." Hiro grabs a glass from a row of refreshments, and takes a small sip. Fruity, likely a tropical cocktail of some kind.

More people begin to fill the large room, and the air fills with the sounds of laughter and cheer. It seems they made a good choice for when to show up, even though they were a bit on the early side.

"So, what brings you to Ember Island?" Yu Shan asks, and Hiro considers telling him the truth for a moment.

"I'm on vacation," he says at last. Technically part of the truth, enough that he doesn't feel bad.

"Oh? Got any rich parents? Most people here do, Ember Island isn't exactly cheap," Yu Shan teases, and Hiro drains his glass.

"Nope, but I'm here on behalf of a very powerful man. Maybe I'll tell you about it later," Hiro offers. It surely can't hurt to tell him about what he was sent to do; after all, Yu Shan seems so nice, and someone with that smile couldn't mean any harm.

"Sounds like quite the story. How about this; if you tell me all about it in a bit, I'll take you out paddleboarding after! I've got a spare board, and the waves are perfect tonight." Hiro blushes slightly at the offer, and grabs another drink to mask his embarrassment.

"Sounds like a deal to me." They shake hands, and Hiro gets another eyeful of that wide, toothy grin.

Hiro furiously tries to ignore the fact that he might've just been asked on a date.

"Anyways man, I'll catch you later. Chan wanted me to show a few of his friends around the house, but whenever you feel like telling that story just holler." Yu Shan winks and jaunts off into the crowd. Hiro smiles into his glass, before turning his gaze back to his charges.

Mai and Zuko just sit together on a bench, neither looking like they're having a good time. Azula just watches everything from the center of the room, and Ty Lee…

Ty Lee is surrounded by seven or so guys, all of them obviously in love. As Hiro watches, the ponytailed girl lashes out with a flurry of blows, catching each of them and making them all collapse onto the ground in a heap.

That girl never ceases to surprise Hiro.

Ty Lee bounces over to Azula, where they begin to talk. Hiro moves his gaze around the room, and ends up back at Zuko and Mai. Zuko looks… angry? Yeah, angry, and Mai's expression is the usual apathy.

Maybe he'd go cheer Zuko up later?

As he mulls the thought over in his head, coughing idly into his tunic's sleeve, Ty Lee flounces up behind him and lays a hand on his shoulder.

"Heya, Hiro! How's the party going?" She asks, batting her doe-like eyes at him again.

"It's been fun so far. I noticed you had a lot of guys talking to you, if they're bothering you just let me know! You should be having fun, not worrying about guys being weird."

Ty Lee smiles up at him. "It's no problem! Guys do that kind of thing a lot, I'm used to it by now."

"Still, if anyone bothers you just tell me and I'll sort 'em out." Hiro cracks his knuckles threateningly, and Ty Lee giggles and lays her head on his shoulder.

"Hey Hiro?"

"Yes, Ty Lee?"

"This is kind of an odd question, but do you… do you like me?" She ducks her head nervously as she asks.

Hiro considers the question. "Not in a romantic way, no."

"...oh." Ty Lee looks up at him again, and Hiro frowns at the way her eyes water and her lip trembles. "D-Did I do something wrong? Am I not pretty enough? Usually guys are all over me, but you don't seem to like me like that. Why not"

"Oh, Ty Lee." Hiro wraps an arm around her and looks her in the eyes. "There's nothing wrong with you at all. To be honest, I think you're very pretty, but I don't really like girls like that, if you catch my drift." Understanding flashes in Ty Lee's eyes, and her mood shifts abruptly.

"Ohh! Why didn't you just say so? This whole time I was trying so hard to get you to like me but I could've been talking to you about cute guys!" Her entire demeanor changes, and Hiro laughs nervously.

"Haha, yeah, but keep your voice down, okay? Not many people know right now, and I don't really want the word getting out."

Ty Lee nods respectfully. "That's fine! Can I still talk to you about guys though? Azula's clueless and Mai doesn't have any drive, so I've never really gotten to talk to anyone about all that."

Hiro laughs again. "Sure, Ty Lee. I'd be happy to. I'm not very experienced with relationships, but I'll do what I can."

"So, has anyone at the party caught your eye? All the guys here keep hitting on me, but none of them really want me for, you know, me."

"Well…" Hiro scratches his neck nervously. "I was talking to this guy, Yu Shan, earlier. And he might've… asked me on a date?"

Ty Lee gasps. "Hiro, that's great! What did he say?"

"Well, he asked me if I wanted to go paddleboarding with him later, so I don't really know if it's a date or not, but he seemed pretty interested. I probably shouldn't be going off without you all though, so I don't know…"

Ty Lee shakes her head fervently. "That's silly, of course you should go! I'll keep an eye on everyone, don't you worry."

Hiro places a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you, Ty Lee. You're a great person, and those guys need to see beyond just your looks."

"Aw, that's so sweet!" She tries to dismiss the compliment, but Hiro can see that she's pleased. "Which one is this mysterious guy you like?"

Hiro glances around the room, and points at Yu Shan, who's just finished giving a few partygoers a tour of the house. "The tan guy, shaggy hair, unagi necklace." Yu Shan sees them looking and waves.

"Oh, he's cute! Go talk to him, good luck!" Ty Lee gives him a little shove toward where Yu Shan watches, and Hiro gives her one last smile of thanks before making his way over.

"So, is that your girlfriend?" Yu Shan asks as he approaches, his smile fading slightly.

"Nope, I'm as single as can be. She's part of the reason I'm here, though." Hiro gives the surfer teen a smirk, and is rewarded with another bright smile.

"Ah, the infamous story at last? Can't wait to hear it." Mirth glitters in Yu Shan's eyes, and Hiro can't help but start talking.

"Okay, so you see that guy over there, with the sullen-looking girl?" He points at Zuko, and Yu Shan nods in confusion. "Well, believe it or not, but that's the Fire Prince. He's here with his sister and their friends, and I'm here to guard them."

Yu Shan backs up, looking startled. "Whoa, man. You're a guard? Is this some sort of sting operation to catch partygoers or a drug bust?"

Hiro shakes his head quickly, but the damage is done. "No, no, they're just here to relax, nothing like that.

But Yu Shan's eyes no longer sparkle, and glint with distrust instead. "Whatever, man. I'm not looking to get involved with the Fire Lord, or Prince, or whoever. I've heard the stories, and I don't want to end up on the streets or in jail. Start with that information next time, dude!"

And then Yu Shan is gone, swallowed up into an ever-increasing crowd.

Hiro puts his head in his hands. How could I have been so stupid? Of course he'd be weirded out by royalty showing up his party, and me not even telling him who I was.

He feels a comforting hand on his back, and Ty Lee's warmth as she gives him a hug from behind.

"Hey, it's okay. He doesn't deserve someone as awesome as you, anyway." She soothes, and Hiro forces a smile onto his face.

"Thanks, Ty Lee, but I think I'm going to get some fresh air. Make sure everyone's safe, okay?"

"Of course, bud." She smiles sadly at him, and Hiro gives her one last quick hug before muscling his way through the crowd and out the door.

The night air is cool and refreshing to his lungs, but Hiro's chest feels tight in a different way.

…

Hiro sits and stares at the ocean for what seems like hours, though he knows it hasn't been long.

The party behind him erupts in sound for a few moments, but he barely pays any notice. He just stares, stony-faced, into the darkness of the sea before him.

After a minute, as if he's a million miles away he faintly hears the crunching of sand beneath feet and the huff of angry breath. Hiro turns his head, and for some reason he finds Zuko marching away from the party.

Hiro heaves himself to his feet, ignoring the ache in his back and inside of himself, for he has a duty to uphold.

He marches forward, keeping his distance but not letting the prince get out of sight. Obviously Zuko is mad at something, and Hiro gets the feeling that stopping him would only make it worse.

At one point a group of people pass by Zuko, and Hiro's hand strays to the handle of his dagger- just in case, he tells himself- but they pass by without issue, making their way to the party.

Zuko's path takes them around the island, nearly to the other side, where a very large house waits for them. The signs warning of a terrible death for anyone trespassing on the Fire Lord's property don't seem to faze Zuko, and Hiro swallows his discomfort as he follows.

Surely Fire Lord Ozai wouldn't care if he was breaking the rules to follow his son, right?

Right?

Nevertheless, Hiro trails behind Zuko, following him up the steps. His stealth skills aren't exactly legendary, so has no idea if the prince knows that he's there, but Zuko shows no indication either way.

Hiro follows his prince over sand and surf; over stone and stair; and finally, over carpet and floor.

Zuko stops his march at a small table on the house's second floor, where Hiro can see a rather impressive portrait of the Fire Lord, a young Zuko and Azula, and presumably the Fire Lady.

Hiro waits in silence as Zuko just stares at the portrait; a minute or so passes, and he decides to make his presence known.

He attempts to clear his throat politely, but it turns into a small coughing fit. Zuko whirls around, hands up and ready to blast any intruder into oblivion, but they fall slack at the sight of him.

"Hiro?" He asks hoarsely, and Hiro bows his head.

"I thought you might want some company… that, and I'm not supposed to let you wander off. Your safety is my concern, after all."

Zuko bristles. "There's nothing wrong with me, I'm perfectly fine."

Hiro gives him a long, searching look, and after a moment Zuko drops his gaze.

Zuko turns his head away, his brow creased in anger, and for a moment all Hiro can see is the sharp angles and harsh eyes of the person he knows as The Prince. The silence stretches on, and Hiro begins to fear that it will never break.

And then Zuko is back, with sagging shoulders, and he speaks.

"The last time I was here, I was a snot-nosed brat who thought the Fire Nation had the solution to everything, and we were just sharing our greatness with the world. Now…" He trails off, and Hiro grabs his arm.

"And what do you think now, Prince Zuko?" He asks, eyes searching for an answer in Zuko's own.

"I… I don't know!" Zuko shouts, the sound echoing in the empty mansion's halls. "I'm not sure what I think. Just drop it, Hiro."

Hiro frowns, but relents. He instead turns his gaze to the table, where a small clay slab bears a tiny handprint. "Zuko, was this you?" He asks, lifting it up into his hands delicately.

Zuko's furrowed brow relaxes a little. "Yeah. That was so long ago though, it's like I'm a different person." He reaches out with one hand and places it over the handprint, and Hiro places his hand over Zuko's.

"Someday, once everything's over, I'm going to take you back here, and we're going to make a new handprint for you. You're just at a different stage of your life, and that should be celebrated, not sulked over. Okay?" Hiro gives the prince a little smile, and the hand beneath his burns with warmth.

Zuko's frown doesn't let up, but as he nods something in his eyes softens, and if Hiro were to die right now he would be perfectly okay with it. Because here in this house of stone and memory, as an ever-so-dim light shines in the Fire Prince's eyes, Hiro is happy.

"Ahem."

The moment breaks and Hiro steps back quickly, startled, as the Fire Princess stands in the doorway.

"A-Azula? What are you doing here?" Zuko asks, and Hiro bows quickly to her.

"I thought I'd find you here, but I didn't expect Father's lapdog to be here too." She gives Hiro an appraising look, and he salutes in traditional Fire Nation style.

"My orders are to keep you all safe, and if one of you decides to wander off, they're likely to be in the most danger." He replies, and she grunts in dismissal.

"Anyway, come down to the beach, we're going to make a fire." The Fire Princess turns and slinks away, and Hiro shudders before following.

…

They burn items from the house as firewood, and as the face of Fire Lord Ozai smolders and turns to ash Hiro feels no sorrow for it.

When young Zuko's corner of the portrait burns, though, he doesn't miss the trace of anguish on the prince's face.

Zuko sits himself next to Mai on an earthen bench, and Hiro sets himself down next to Ty Lee, who gives him a wide grin.

As the world around him quickly dissolves into shouting and chaos, Hiro just silently listens and stares into the flickering fire. The conversation's subject changes as quick as a hare-rat; from Zuko, to Ty Lee, to Mai. The voices swirl like an inferno around him, and he finds himself lost in the light of the still-burning fire.

"Leave me alone!"

Hiro is broken out of his stupor by Mai, who's stood up and shouted at Azula.

"Hey, hey, everyone. No need to scream at each other, we can work this out like adul- er, reasonable people." He stands, ushering Mai back into her seat, but she resists.

"That's easy for you to say, you don't even know us!" She retorts. "I bet you've never even dirtied your hands, being the Fire Lord's loyal lapdog."

"Hey lady, I worked in the coal mines for three years, I know hardship." He bristles, feeling the slow onset of anger take over. He forces it down, but it simmers deep beneath the surface of his mind like lava bubbling in the cracks of the earth.

"You were a criminal? I had no idea Father would send someone so dangerous to watch over us." The Fire Princess remarks, and Hiro turns on her.

"Actually, he seemed to think highly of me for it for whatever reason. And yes, I was a criminal! What kid wouldn't be, alone in the Fire Nation slums with a dead mother and a dad in jail? This country has no respect for anyone but the elites, and once you get on the streets you won't get out."

"Whatever." The Fire Princess says, and even though Hiro knows she's just riling him up he can't help but draw himself taller. "It's a shame how they let people like you out of the mines after so little time. Once a thief, always a thief, I say-"

"Shut up!" Hiro snarls, and the pulse of anger runs deep in his blood. He draws one fist back, ready to do something, but then he catches the look on Ty Lee's face.

She's… scared of him.

Hiro wilts and sits down heavily, putting his head in his hands. He closes his eyes, running through a mental checklist.

Unclench your jaw. Relax your shoulders. Take a deep breath. In, out. In, out…

"H-Hey guys, calm down. This much negative energy is bad for your skin, you'll totally break out!" Ty Lee warns, and Hiro opens his eyes again.

"Bad skin? Normal teenagers have to worry about bad skin; I don't have that luxury. My father decided to teach me a permanent lesson, on my face!" Zuko shouts, and Ty Lee shrinks even further,

"I-I'm sorry, Zuko, I didn't…"

Zuko continues. "For so long, I thought if my father accepted me, I'd be happy. Well, I'm home now, and my dad talks to me. Hell, he thinks I'm a hero! Everything should be perfect, right? Well I'm not!" Zuko catches Hiro's eye with his own, and the prince's gaze is confused and lost. "I'm angrier than ever, and I don't know why!"

Azula uncrosses her legs. "Well then, there's a simple question you need to answer, Zuko."

"Who are you angry at?"

The question catches Zuko off guard. "I-I don't know, no one! I'm just…. Angry!"

Mai chimes in. "Yeah Zuko, who are you angry at?"

"Everyone! I don't know!" Zuko puts his hands on his ears, trying to block them out, but their concern is louder than words.

"Is it dad?" Azula whispers, and Zuko shakes his head fervently.

"No, no, no…" He keeps repeating.

"Your uncle?"

"Me?"

"Zuko, who are you angry at?" Hiro speaks up, locking eyes with Zuko softly.

"Yeah Zuko, who?"

"Answer the question!"

"You can tell us, Zuko!"

When an answer is roared to the heavens and a pillar of fire pierces the clouds, Hiro sees only Zuko: his friend, his companion, his confidant.

The Prince is gone.

The fire dies in an instant, but the sparks linger in Zuko's eyes. "I'm confused; I'm not sure if I know what's right and what's wrong anymore."

"You're pathetic," Azula giggles, and Hiro feels a flash of desire to protect Zuko from his sister.

"That's not pathetic, that's development. You wouldn't know about that, though." Hiro snarks, feeling bold again after Zuko's outburst.

"I know one thing I care about, Zuko. I care about you." Mai walks up next to Zuko and takes his hand, but Zuko turns away from her.

Odd, Hiro thinks, but dismisses it.

A clap startles him. "Well, everyone, those were wonderful performances."

Zuko bristles like an angry porcupine-hedgehog. "I guess you wouldn't know anything about that, Azula."

To Hiro's surprise, she laughs. "Well, yes. I don't have sob stories like the rest of you do. I could sit here and complain about how our mom liked Zuko more than me, but I don't really care." The dying fire's light reflects in her eyes, and her face turns almost somber. "My own mother thought I was a monster…"

Hiro feels what could only be a sliver of pity; not much, of course, but still there.

"She was right, of course, but it still hurt." For some reason, the sliver stays.

"What Lo and Li said came true! The beach really did help us learn about ourselves. I feel all smooth, like this stone." Ty Lee rubs a beach stone, and Hiro laughs.

"Well, everyone should get some sleep." Hiro yawns, and then catches sight of something in the sand beyond them. "Actually, Prince Zuko, if you would follow me for a moment…"

The prince complies, and the two of them walk away from the rest of the group.

"What is it?" Zuko asks, hints of aggression still on his face.

"I think it's time we relax, Prince Zuko…" Hiro smiles as he hoists up a long paddleboard from the sand.

…

As they paddle their way out into the open waters, enjoying the warm summer air and the salty smell of the ocean, somewhere on the beach they left behind the Fire Lord's son and his Guard.

Out here, they're just Hiro and Zuko.

As Hiro stands up on a paddleboard that he might've used with another man, in a different time, somehow when he thinks of Yu Shan being here instead of Zuko, the world feels a little colder, even if they're not on a date.

He stalwartly ignores the part of him that wishes that they were.

Hey everyone! I don't really like writing every piece of dialogue that everyone already knows from the show, so that's why one part glosses over some of the conversation. I hope you enjoyed, and as always feel free to leave a comment on anything you liked, or any mistakes I made. Thanks for reading :)