Ah-h-h! It's been so long and I apologize! But I didn't have my laptop! I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender!
Herded into a dark, musty room by his teacher, Jet had been about to demand for a reason as to why he'd been brought to the holding cells when he had no business being there, but when the lights flickered to life, what he saw stayed his tongue. In the center of the cold cobblestoned floor knelt a man, he was bound and gagged, his shirt was ripped to shreds, barely hanging on by mere threads, his muscles quivered, his flesh bruised and cut, there was blood, both old and fresh smeared across his dusky-colored skin. The knees of his pants were dirty from kneeling on the cold floor and the waistband was coated crimson in some spots, blood having soaked into the fabric. He looked battered, physically broken and stitched together in a crude remake of his previous state – for a moment, a single ignorant moment, Jet wonders how long the man had been here.
But when their eyes meet, the child realizes that this man is an Earth Kingdom soldier. The defiant spark in the man's eyes disappear for a split second once he notices that Jet is, in fact, just a child – the surprise disappears once the soldier's eyes fall upon Kuo's hand resting upon Jet's shoulder, the other hand snaking over his shoulder and producing a blade from nowhere:
"Kill him."
The whispered words chilled the room, or so Jet believed.
"Kill him, Lion-Heart."
Choking on the ball in his throat, he finally removes his eyes from the soldier's and stares at the knife in Kuo's hand, the blade held so delicately, almost taunting in nature. Hesitantly, he reaches out and takes the weapon by the handle. The man begins wriggling in place, thrashing his head from side to side, jaw working away.
Jet shuts his eyes, clinging to the blade, holding it close to his chest – he doesn't want to do this, he's killed before, but the blood that he'd spilt was Fire Nation blood. Not his own people. This soldier before him was just doing his job, out on the battlefield. Why did they have to take him prisoner? Did they have more?
"Lion-Heart." Kuo says, his voice cold, flat, "If you ever want to see young Zuko ever again, you'll kill this man."
Is it him, or is it getting harder to breathe?
"He was sniffing around the town, asking questions - ,"
"Fire Nation scum!"
Jet staggers violently, bumping into Kuo; he stares wide-eyed at the soldier now glaring, not at him, but at Kuo.
" – we found him stalking the eastern part of the palace."
Jet tightens his hold on the dagger – Zuko's room was located in the eastern sect.
"He's Earth Kingdom!"
"Everyone you loved is gone because you weren't willing to do whatever it took to keep them safe," Kuo's words sink into his mind, he wonders if he hadn't been out playing with the kids, ignoring the faint smell of smoke, that he could have warned someone, "Now is your chance to prove that you are stronger. Smarter."
"Leave him alone!"
"Prove that you'll do whatever it takes to keep your friend alive."
Zuko is his friend, he cared for him and vice versa – the Prince was all he had now, he looks up and meets the Earth Kingdom assassin's eyes once more, if this man had gotten into the palace, he could have found Zuko, he could have killed him. Zuko was worth more than some stranger's life.
Shakily crossing the distance between him and the would-be assassin, Jet fumbles with the knife to get a better hold – the man looks at him, he understands what is coming, but what he doesn't know is that Jet's friend is the Prince of the Fire Nation. Instead, the man smiles at him, eyes going soft as if saying he understood what Jet was doing:
"Listen kid," the man says, Jet feels his heart jump to his throat, "The war will end, and when it does, the Fire Nation will fall and you'll be free."
Shutting his eyes and gritting his teeth, he slices at the air – he hears the splatter of blood, the grotesque sound it made, accompanied by the horrid smell of a man held prisoner for too long, nearly made him wretch.
oOo
In the dark of his cell, Jet sits and replays the events of today over and over in his mind: the warmongers of the Fire Nation were impressed with his unwavering loyalty towards the crown, killing that man even though he hadn't wanted to – clenching his jaw, he runs his fingers through his hair, over and over, grabbing fistfuls and pulling until it hurt before releasing and going through the same process, he's sitting alone in his cell, and each time he closes his eyes, he sees the almost serene expression of the man before he'd murdered him, he hears his voice telling him everything will be okay, he feels the blood, viscous and hot, he smells the musk.
All of it unsettles him – flashes of the moment replay over and over, every time he closes his eyes.
Tears begin to stream down his cheeks.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
It's not my fault.
It's not my fault.
It's not my fault.
"It's his fault." a voice croons.
Opening his eyes, he looks around bewildered, there is no one, he sees no one, getting to his feet, he pads over to the bars of his cell and looks out – he can still see no one. Frowning, he turns around and scans his empty cell for movement:
"If he hadn't been caught, you wouldn't have had to kill him. You did the Earth Kingdom a favor by killing one incompetent assassin – he would have killed our friend."
Jet's back slides down the bars until he's sitting on the cold floor and hugging his knees, he ducks his head down and stares into oblivion, whispering a faint, "I guess."
The next morning, Jet is brought into the same building, same block, same bloodied room. In the center of said room, he sees a different man, bulkier than the last and a defiant spark in his eyes, this man was a soldier. Kuo hands him a double-edged sword. The boy holds it up to the light, inspecting it's edge, watching it gleam within the dim lighting. It was perfect. Letting out an annoyed sigh, he stares at the man now scowling at him.
"You shouldn't have been caught."
Jet says as he swings the blade – staring at the rapidly cooling body, he tiptoes his way around the blood and picks up the head, taking a moment to really look at the man before he turns on his heel and shoves both sword and head at the assassin.
It had all been a test.
"Don't waste my time with this anymore."
"Oh?" Kuo questions, sheathing weapon and now wrapping the head up, "Losing your nerve?"
"No." Jet barks, he feels heat creeping under his skin, "These men were prisoners meaning they weren't talented enough to evade capture." he bypasses Kuo, "There's no sport in it if they're captives."
oOo
Entering the garden where he and Zuko usually meet, Jet is surprised to see that he's the first one there. Walking towards the tree, he decides he'll pass the time with a few forms, but as he draws near the pond, he catches a glimpse of his reflection. Absently, he peers at his image – there is blood splatter on his clothes, flecks on his skin, his hands covered in grime. Startled, he falls back on his butt. But he can still see his face. Scowling, he punches the surface of the water causing ripples to distort his image. The fluffy little family of turtle-ducks swim away. Looking into the water once more, he sees that he is normal.
Laughter drags his attention away from his inner turmoil, glancing up; he spots Azula and her two friends. Rising his feet, ready to defend himself if necessary, he growls at the three girls:
"What do you want?"
Azula looks at her nails, "Oh nothing, I just came to tell you that Zuzu no longer wants to see your face anymore," Jet narrows his eyes, "Apparently word of your opinions on our prisoners spreads fast." she looks him directly in the eyes and smirks, "You scare him."
"Bullshit!" Jet snaps, the thought of Zuko afraid of him makes his blood run cold, he grabs her collar and drags her closer, "You're nothing but a liar!"
"I'm not lying." she says, unfazed by Jet's anger or treatment, "Just ask Ty-Lee, she'll tell you."
Jet turns his attention to the girl, but once his eyes meet hers, she seems to shrink under his heated glare, and that just – irks him. Snarling at the trio of girls, he shoves his way past Azula and Mai, he was going to find Zuko himself.
Opening his eyes, Jet finds himself staring at the metal wall of his room, swallowing the dry feeling at the back of his throat, he sits up and scans the surrounding area – he feels dysphoric. Lost. Forcing himself past those feelings, he slips out of bed and takes to staring at his bare feet, he doesn't really feel like dressing. Rising to his feet, he fixes the waistband of his pants before heading out of his room. Noticing Zuko's closed door, he realizes that he'd woken on his own, frowning, he wonders if the Prince had gotten any sleep at all since he'd left him to his meditating last night. He moves onward.
Yawning, he stretches his arms high above his head, taking a moment to enjoy the heat of the midmorning sun. Letting out a satisfied groan, he shakes his body. There are only a few men on deck as of now, the others somewhere upon the metal vessel – he watches the men go about their jobs in lethargic wonder, that is, until a mean smile slips across his lips. Cracking his knuckles, he figures it's about time to repay the traitors for outing them to Zhao. With a swagger in his step, he approaches the men with an easy smile:
"Are you guys doing anything?"
The Earth Kingdom teen notes the tension shooting through each of the men like an arrow, "N – no."
"Great." Jet grins easily, "Gather the entire crew and meet on this deck within ten minutes."
"The entire crew?" one of the men pipes up, "But – Prince Zuko will not approve."
"Let me worry about him ~ now go on."
Watching the men leave with hesitant salutes, he lets the easy smile fall from his face, allowing for a darker expression to take up residence – none of the men knew how bad things could have gotten if Zuko had taken just the slightest misstep on that damnable port.
oOo
Going over the map with his Uncle, Zuko starts to pick up on the feeling that they weren't moving, the ship that is, he looks to his Uncle, half expecting the man to tell him that he'd changed course for whatever inane reason, but the old firebender seemed just as curious about the sudden stall.
"Have we reached port already?"
"No," Zuko trails off, he stares hard at the map, "That's impossible – someone's stopped us!"
Tearing out of the room, Zuko storms towards the control room where he expects his helmsman and navigator to be – opening his mouth, ready to chew someone out, he pauses. There's no one there. Frowning, he walks towards the wheel and inspects it, behind him, he can hear Iroh entering the room.
"There's no one here." Zuko murmurs, "I don't - ," movement on deck captures his attention, peering out the window, he spots the entire crew watching a fight. "Lion-Heart."
Twisting his body out of the way of the incoming fist, he grabs the guy's wrist and throws him over his body, hearing his opponent land with a heavy and satisfying thud. Pivoting on his bare heel, he closes the distance between him and his fallen target and presses the heel of his foot upon the man's neck. There's a few seconds where the man stares up at him with terror in his eyes, he's bruised with a split lip, Jet can only grin.
"What is going on!?"
A familiar voice rages. The crew of men, thirty years of age and older all hurry to get out of the Prince's way, parting like a water for a waterbender. Instantly, the animosity he'd held for the crew melts into something sweeter as Jet spins on the ball of his foot to greet the angry teen:
"Why hello Prince Zuko ~ fancy meeting you here. I thought you were meditating."
"I was reading the map until I realized that no one was steering the ship." Zuko hisses, he scowls at the crewmen, "What are all of you doing out here in the first place!?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Jet grins, "We're all just having a rousing sparring session. Is that really so bad?"
Zuko's eyes land on him once more, "It is when you incapacitate my men."
"No-o-o!" both teens and the crew turn to Iroh, the man is kneeling at someone's side, "Anyone but the cook!"
Zuko pinches the bridge of his nose and tries to ignore his Uncle's sobbing, "Lion-Heart. We need to talk."
Jet opens his mouth to reply but Iroh cuts in, "Why!? Oh why!?"
Gritting his teeth and clenching his fists, Zuko turns his tantrum on his Uncle, "Uncle! The cook will be alright!" said cook groans, "See!" he turns to the rest of the crew, "The rest of you! Go back to your stations now or I'm going to throw you overboard and make you swim to the port!"
That kick-starts the injured crew into scrambling back into the ship, a few of them even helping Iroh carry the cook inside. Letting out a long suffering sigh, Zuko begins walking towards the bow with Jet trailing him shortly after. Resting his arms upon the railing, Jet makes sure his upper half is on full display for the Prince since he'd gone without a shirt. He stares into the waters below and lets out an overly dramatic sigh.
"Am I being dumped?"
Zuko wears a mask of confusion, "What are you talking about?"
"You said we need to talk." Jet reminds, he meets his sovereign's gaze, "That's practically the universe's code for pack your bags. Do I have to return our anniversary gifts?"
"Wha – no! We're not - !" Zuko knows he's as red as his scar, "That's not - ! Just listen! Zhao knows that the Avatar is alive and out there! We need to stay one step ahead of him!"
Silence.
"Okay-y-y. So what's the plan?" Zuko looks away, Jet sighs, "You don't have one do you."
"No."
"I'm sure we can come up with something." Jet mumbles.
Resting his chin on the palm of his hand, he takes to staring glumly at the vast ocean – the silence that begins to sprout between them seems to make the firebending Prince uncomfortable for he starts shifting in place. The movement catching Jet's attention and causing the older teen to now stare at his friend. Even with that off-putting scar taking up half his face, his friend was still a work of art, with that smooth expanse of porcelain skin – he wonders just how soft the firm skin was, if it was as hot as the element he commanded, or if it was just warm enough that it wasn't overly scalding. Biting the corner of his mouth, he shifts a little. There's that familiar stirring again.
Then he gets an idea:
"That's it!" Zuko turns to face him, "Quick! What do you think about me!?"
"Uh – you're a good friend?"
"That's good to know, but not what I meant. I mean, what do you think about me appearance wise?"
"Oh. Um – you're very – tan?"
Jet deadpans, "Honestly?"
"What!?" Zuko snaps defensively, Jet resists the urge to face-palm. Zuko sighs, "Fine. I think you're tall and – not too bad to look at."
Even though he asked for it, he still has to will away the blush, "Okay, now think about that Water Tribe girl the Avatar hangs out with. Not only is she female and about our age, but she's still naïve. Just send me in and I'll talk her up. Lead them into a trap where you'll be waiting."
"What makes you think she'll fall for you?"
"Oh please ~ I'm a strong, tall, charming, handsome man - ,"
Zuko interrupts, "You're only 17."
Jet ignores Zuko, "No one can resist me."
"And if they recognize you?"
"How will they when I'm always wearing my cowl whenever we see them?" Jet pushes away from the ship's railing, "Besides, it's not like I talk to them. I'm pretty sure they won't be able to trace me back to you."
Zuko purses his lips momentarily before sighing, "Very well."
Jet grins, "Don't worry Fire-Bird ~ I'll come back."
"I'm not worried!"
"If you say so ~ !" Jet sing-songs, slinking out of Zuko's range before the Prince decides he might like to try and take a swipe at him.
oOo
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Dropping from the bar he'd been using in his exercise, he swipes at the sweat accumulating at his hairline, this makes his fringe stick up at odd angles, "Come in!"
The door swings open to reveal Zuko, "Jet."
Pleasantly surprised, Jet grins, "Zuko."
The firebender steps into the room, shutting the door behind him, Jet smashes the rising interest before it can gain fire, "I've received word that the Avatar is on Kyoshi Island, and we should be there by tomorrow afternoon."
"Okay," Jet jumps up, grabbing a hold of the bar and begins his pull-up set, "Was there something else you needed?"
"Yes." Zuko stares at Jet's bare chest, "When we arrive at Kyoshi Island, I want you to stay behind."
"What!?" Jet's fingers slip but he still manages to land gracefully and stands to his full height, already glaring at his friend, "What do you mean you want me to stay behind!?"
"Just do as I say."
"No! Do you realize how long it's been since I've had a proper fight!?"
"I just want you to be safe!"
It slips out without meaning to and it shows on the fire wielder's face, but it gets Jet to pause, his anger already melting from his body – he takes in Zuko's livid, embarrassed expression before sighing, reaching out, he pulls Zuko into an embrace. A sweaty one, but the Prince doesn't move, in fact, he's as tense as a board. They stay like that, Jet trying to smooth Zuko's ruffled feathers (because he feels like a major ass) and Zuko trying to make up his mind between punching Jet and continuing their argument (because he's still pissed). Eventually though, Zuko relaxes as best as he can.
"You sweaty." he murmurs.
Jet chuckles quietly, "Well I was exercising before you so rudely interrupted me."
"It's disgusting."
"Yet here you are."
"If you still want a proper fight, we can spar after I come back from Kyoshi Island."
Jet sighs, but he holds onto his friend tighter, "Okay."
oOo
Watching Zuko and several other men exit the hull of the ship, Jet can't help but pout, he really was angry that he'd been forced to stay behind, but after last night and their tender little moment, he just couldn't bring himself to disobey his friend. Beside him, Iroh is watching the group as well.
"Aren't you going with them?"
"No." he sulks, "His Royal Prissiness ordered me to stay behind."
Iroh gauges the Earth Kingdom teen's disposition because it really wasn't like Lion-Heart to stay behind while Prince Zuko went off on one of his escapades – the elder firebender realized something must have happened last night to make stubborn, hot-blooded Lion-Heart to listen for once. Allowing a warm smile to light up his features, he pats the moody teenager's shoulder and gingerly leads him away from the railing:
"Why don't he have a game of pai-sho with the remaining crew members."
"I don't want to play pai-sho."
"Come now, Lion-Heart." Iroh hums, "You shouldn't worry about Prince Zuko, he'll come back to us."
Muttering unintelligibly under his breath, Jet glares at the ground but up and follows Iroh into the tower – later, when the Prince returns completely soaked from head to toe, Jet has to bite down on his tongue to keep himself from commenting. Still guilt-ridden and really, really wanting that sparring match with the Fire Nation Prince.
I wanted some Jetko fluff thrown in here!