Devotion can be both a good thing and a bad thing. I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.
Sitting with his back pressed against the cool metal of the ship's tower, Jet is sharpening his shuang gou whilst Iroh sits lotus style in front of a small table, the old firebender playing some sort of tile game with a tantalizing kettle of warm tea sitting on the corner. If Jet were any colder he'd ask for a cup, but instead, he pulls out a cloth and begins polishing his beloved blades. Both men were currently keeping the young Prince company as he stands at the bow of the ship, a spot he'd taken up after he'd been forced to eat breakfast. The day had started out normally, or as normal for Jet as it could be when one has an angry Prince shouting at him to get his lazy ass up – Jet had been a little more than ticked at having been awoken in such a rude manner, especially since he'd gotten little to no sleep thanks to the huffy Prince starring in his midnight dreams, but he quickly got over it since he wasn't the only one the Prince had rudely awaken.
That, and Jet may or may not be harboring a little crush on the Prince.
Eyes darting towards Zuko's still form, Jet sighs and places his swords at his sides, "Hey Zuko," he calls out, the Prince tenses at the use of his name being said so familiarly, "Sit down. Relax. You're starting to make me anxious; we're not going to find the Avatar with you standing there like some creepy ass statue."
"You aren't funny, Lion-Heart." the Prince deadpans, but he still doesn't move.
"I wasn't trying to be funny, but it's nice you think so." Jet grins as Zuko clenches his fists, "Why don't we have a sparring session?"
"I don't want to." the weapons are beneath me goes unsaid, but it's there.
Jet sing-songs, "It'll calm you down ~ ."
"I don't need to calm down!" Zuko finally snaps, "And I don't want to!"
Jet surrenders, "Just saying."
"He is right, Prince Zuko." Iroh begins, he moves a tile, "You must relax. Why don't we all play a rousing game of pai-sho and have a steaming cup of calming ginseng tea?"
"I said I don't need to calm down!" Zuko shouts, he turns his glare on Iroh, "I don't want to spar! I don't want to play pai-sho! And I don't want any calming tea!"
As soon as the Prince turns his back on the two, Jet frowns and pulls a dagger from his boot, he begins sharpening it as well; it's a rather bitter feeling knowing the angry boy was once a kind-hearted child – just then, a bright bluish beam shoots into the skies, the energy casts the surrounding area in a faint blue light, Jet soon feels the pressure in the atmosphere change followed by a sudden gust of wind that rustles his clothes and the two Princes' hair. He hears Zuko mutter something under his breath before he turns to the two:
"Did you see that?" Jet gives a curt nod while Iroh moves another tile, "That's got to be him! Helmsman, set a course for the light!"
"Prince Zuko, it is probably the celestial lights," Iroh reasons, "We've been through this before. You mustn't get your hopes up so soon."
The sixteen year old growls but turns to look to the horizon once more – Jet feels a cold feeling start in his chest, he pulls his face mask up over his nose and tugs his hood on, the black poncho combo provides him with some warmth, but it's only so much. Putting his cloth in the waistband of his pants, he hides his dagger in his boot and stands, stretching his arms over his head, he stoops down and snatches his swords. Clasping them into their rightful place at his hips, he's about to head inside where it's warm when Iroh speaks:
"Where are you heading off to, Lion-Heart?" he says it loud enough that his voice will carry to Zuko.
"Well, unlike you firebenders, I can't act as a personal fireplace. I'm going inside where it's warm."
"Don't start trouble with the crew," Iroh warns good-naturedly, Jet only gives an impish grin and stalks off into the hull, Iroh continues his game, "I only hope he doesn't mess with the chefs, last time was a complete disaster. Peppered sweets. Salty teas. Bleh-h!"
"I – should probably go with him." Zuko states a few seconds later, he hadn't been fond of his pork dumplings tasting sickeningly sweet, and his tea salty.
"Perhaps you should." Iroh watches Zuko walk across the deck and into the tower, he smiles and places a tile upon another.
Zuko walks through the ship's narrow halls with an ear open for any sounds of a Jet-nature, but so far, all he can hear are the usual creaking and groaning of the ship as well as the hardy laughter of the crew. Thinking back on the sugary food, Zuko frowns and makes a quick turn for the kitchens.
"He better not be doing anything stupid." Zuko hisses under his breath, he looks into the dark of the kitchen, thinking it odd, he brings a small ball of fire to life in his palm, as he steps into the room he doesn't notice the shadowy figure pressed near the wall until his whole world spins and he's slammed into the wall, he feels a cold blade press against his throat, he can only glare at the offender.
"Gotcha." the figure purrs.
The Prince frowns as the blade is taken away from his neck, "Not funny Jet."
Said teen pulls his facemask down to reveal a roguish grin, "Come on Fire-Bird, you gotta loosen up." Jet steps back with a flourish, "You also gotta up your guard that was way too easy."
"How can I loosen up and up my guard at the same time?" Zuko snorts, he brings the lanterns to life, bathing the two in light.
Jet shrugs, "I manage."
Zuko rolls his eyes as he moves to the herbs and spices, "We don't need another Jet."
"I didn't mess with the food," Jet states, watching Zuko check the goods, "Besides," he grabs the Prince's hand and spins him around, pulling him close, the embarrassed heat in Zuko's cheeks has Jet grinning wider, "You know you wouldn't mind if there was another me, you love me too much ~ ."
"Don't." Zuko stresses, he pushes away from Jet and dusts himself off, "You know I hate it when you do things like that. We aren't kids anymore."
"You think that's gonna stop me?"
"No."
It's a day later when they finally reach their destination and Jet's mildly surprised he wakes up on his own rather than having someone, Zuko, wake him up, swinging his legs over the edge of his cot, he begins his morning routine – fastening his cowl/poncho just right, he heads out for the deck but stops upon seeing Zuko's door open, curious, he pokes his head in and spots the Prince getting dressed in his armor. Ready for the day, ready for a fight. Crossing his arms over his chest, he rests his weight against the doorframe and watches as one of the servants place a helmet upon Zuko's head much like one would crown a Prince.
When Zuko passes, he finally acknowledges Jet's presence, "Lion-Heart."
"Prince Zuko." Jet says as he follows Zuko out of the room and down the hall, "Why didn't anyone wake me?" Zuko opens his mouth to retort but Jet holds a hand up, "And don't bullshit me either, you may be older but you still suck at lying."
Zuko sighs, "I didn't want anyone to wake you because I want to face the Avatar alone."
"You're taking a group of men with you. Look, I know this is your honor on the line but you're my Prince and it's my job to protect you," Jet places a hand on the Prince's padded shoulder, "Both as your bodyguard and friend."
"I don't need you holding my hand." Zuko growls, smacking Jet's hand away, "I can handle this on my own."
"I'm not holding your hand." Jet snaps, trailing after Zuko, "That's your Uncle's job, I'm helping you."
"Fine." Zuko turns to glare at Jet, "But you jump in when I say you can."
Jet offers a manic grin, "If it's all the same to you Prince, I'll jump in when I think it's necessary."
Used to seeing Jet's darker side, Zuko exhales smoke through his nose and continues walking, he doesn't have time to argue with the stubborn boy – Jet watches the Prince and group of soldiers as the hatch hisses open and the village is revealed to them. Jet can't help but blink in surprise, when Zuko had said pathetic little village he had kind of assumed it was an actual village and not just some campground – he catches Zuko's I told you look, Jet can only offer a sheepish smile as the Prince leads the group off the ship.
What happens next is kind of funny, in a sad, pathetic sort of way:
A Water Tribe kid tries rushing the group but Zuko kicks his weapon away followed by another kick that sends him flying into the snow. From the shadows of the entryway, Jet watches the group proceed only to stop before the small group of women and kids. As Zuko questions them, Jet notices the boy is making his way towards his weapon, without thinking, Jet rushes out of the ship; his cowl covering the lower half of his face and shading his eyes. The boy grabs his weapon and runs screaming at Zuko, the Prince turns just as Jet slides forward and sweeps the boy's legs out from under his body, as the boy falls back, Jet pushes his body upward, his back hitting the boy's and sending him flying towards the crowd, he straightens up, his height and appearance striking fear into the villagers. He looks to Zuko who gives him a curt, barely there nod. Water Tribe takes this moment to toss a weapon at them, both move in time but Zuko glares at the boy and tosses a fireball at him, the kid dodges so Zuko shoots another, Jet brandishes his twin swords ready for a fight, he hears the crowd gasp.
"Let me." Jet says, Zuko narrows his eyes but nods.
Smirking, Jet steps before Zuko, Water Tribe runs at them again but this time Jet is up – using one of the hooks to catch the end of the spearhead, he twists his body so the staff is forced from the kid's grip and pivots around his torso, it swings back and smacks the boy upside the head, as the boy falls Jet sheathes his weapons, he twirls the spear experimentally before pressing the tip of the spearhead against the kid's throat. Jet thinks he hears the sound of something cutting the air seconds before he hears a clang followed by Zuko's grunt. Despite what he was taught, he takes his attention off the blue-eyed boy and sees Zuko fixing his helmet, the flames that spring from the Prince's fist show that he's angry, but before he can so much as move he's bowled over and the spear is taken from Jet. This snaps his attention back to the world beyond Zuko, he glares at the crowd, pulling out his shuang gou his eyes zero in on the newcomer; the kid is brightly dressed but he's got a distinct blue arrow on his head.
"Looking for me?" the kids asks,
"You're the airbender? You're the avatar?" Zuko begins, the snow on his being melts, "I've spent years preparing for this encounter. Training, meditating. You're just a child."
"Well you're just a teenager."
Zuko shoots fire at the airbender, the flames, Jet notices, come a little too close to the villagers, their screams dredge up old memories, but his devotion to Zuko is stronger, after all, the Prince never truly injured someone in such a manner – the airbender stops suddenly.
"If I go with you, will you promise to leave everyone alone?"
It's a childish request Jet thinks but he sees Zuko nod and just like that, men grab the Avatar and Jet takes his staff, he returns to Zuko as the Prince turns on his heel, somewhere behind them, Jet can hear a girl:
"No, Aang!" so that's the airbender's name. "Don't do this!"
"Set a course for the Fire Nation!" Zuko shouts so Jet can't hear what Aang says, "I'm going home."
oOo
"This staff will make an excellent gift for my father," Zuko says, Jet tries not to snort at the mention of Ozai, "I suppose you wouldn't know about fathers, being raised by monks. Take the Avatar to the prison hold and take this," he shoves the staff at Iroh, " - to my quarters."
Jet follows Zuko out of habit more than anything else before he breaks off from the Prince and heads for his room, he's heard rumors floating around amongst the crew about his and Zuko's relationship - rumors that would be frowned upon if they were true. Entering his room, he shuts his door and lies upon his cot where he stares at the metal above. Rumors Zuko wouldn't take too kindly to if he heard them. Sighing, he closes his eyes and throws an arm over his eyes, he's still got his cowl masking his features but that's minor compared to the hard on starting to come to life.
BANG!
The loud noise startles Jet from his half-sleep.
BANG!
Another forces him to his feet and out into the passageway in time to see Aang sprinting from Zuko's room, it's obvious to any that the Avatar is trying to escape, Jet gives chase with little thought.
Climbing the rungs of the ladder with an unnatural speed, Jet bursts into the control room in time to see Aang near the railing, gritting his teeth, the older boy tosses his dagger at the boy's only mode of transportation as its wings spring forth. The dagger slices the wing of the glider causing it to wobble and dip, realizing it won't be enough, he runs out onto the deck and launches off the railing and latches onto the airbender's ankle, he hears Aang shout out in surprise. Grabbing his sword, Jet slices at the ruined wing causing them to fall from the skies.
Jet rolls to his feet with practiced ease and snarls at the kid, "I can't let you leave."
Just then they hear a roar, both look up in time to see something flying towards them, Aang shouts out in excitement:
"Appa!"
A fireball zooms at Aang from nowhere but the kid manages to dissipate the flames and jump back, Jet spots Zuko in time to see two more fireballs hurtling towards the airbender. Moving forward, Jet manages to hook the kid's staff and pull it away, the monk gasps but Jet is already swinging his other sword for the kid's legs. Aang jumps up onto the railing just as Zuko sends another blast of fire at him, this time though, it hits its target and sends the kid falling into the water. The flying monster gets closer and Jet can hear that girl from earlier screaming for the fallen boy. Jet angles his attention to the kids drawing near when a large water funnel erupts from the water's surface, once the bender is on the ship's deck, Jet notices that the Avatar's eyes and tattoo are glowing seconds before the water slams into him and sends him crashing into the ship tower, the back of his head makes contact with the metal surface.
He blacks out for a moment.
Opening his eyes, he thinks he hears talking, pushing himself up, he spots the two Water Tribe kids, one running for the Avatar's staff and the other with the Avatar. Growling, he forces his body to move, he can't let them escape. Spotting his swords lying nearby, he makes a dive for them just as the men get to their feet.
Fixing his hold on his swords, he makes a run for the Avatar, he cares little for the Water Tribe kids. It's the Avatar Zuko needs. But as Jet nears the large animal, the water beneath him suddenly freezes and he's sent skidding into the fluffy beast thanks to his earlier momentum. The animal makes a rumbling sound before it opens its mouth and sneezes, the force and the ice below force Jet across the floor and smashing into the wall at an awkward angle, he thinks he hears the Water Tribe boy laughing but he ignores it in favor of reeling at the sight of green snot covering him head to toe, he lets his right shuang gou go but it doesn't drop, its stuck to him thanks to the disgusting slime. A disgusted shiver runs up his spine.
"Shoot them down!" he hears Zuko.
Looking up, he sees both Iroh and Zuko move through a firebending stance simultaneously before shooting a large bolt of fire at the fleeing group, it's an impressive sight and Jet can see the raw beauty in it but the Avatar deflects it, knocking it into one of the snowy cliffs like it were a ball, the explosion that follows causes an avalanche that jars the ship as it's covered in the stuff. Pushing himself to his feet, Jet moves to stand next to Zuko:
"Good news for the Fire Lord," Iroh speaks as Zuko forces himself to his feet, "The Fire Nation's greatest enemy is just a child."
"Dig the ship out and - ," Zuko falters upon seeing Jet, Jet can see Zuko's bright amber eyes look him up and down before making a disgusted noise and taking a large step away from the older teen, there's a nauseous look on his face that rubs Jet the wrong way, "What happened to you?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Jet growls through his facemask, he still sees Zuko staring, "Although I hear it's good for the skin, why don't you try it?" he smears some of the goop on Zuko's face causing the younger to squawk indignantly and smack his arm away,
"Jet!" Zuko snaps as he swipes at the stuff, "Disgusting!"
"At least you're not covered in it." Jet hisses, Zuko gets the gist of it and frowns at the snow burying the front part of the ship.
Yes anon, you are right when you say Jet's addition to Zuko's side will be a lot harder for the Gaang, this proves it, I'm sorry it took me so long to say anything about it :( thank you for the reviews though :) I'm so happy ~ !