I was going to say something, I forgot, again. I'm such a dork. I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender.

Stepping out onto the balcony where both Iroh and Zhao stood, Jet did his best to suppress his annoyance as he listens to the Admiral going on and on about how lucky the old General is to witness his going down in history. Clearing his throat, he captures the attention of the older males – Jet sees Iroh's neutral expression turn to that of exasperation once he sees the stubborn Earth Kingdom native still wearing his old clothing, which is in no way useful for North Pole expeditions, and it shows if one were to look at Jet's arms where one would see goose-bumps. Zhao on the other hand, looks mildly surprised to see him standing there.

"I have finished those tasks you asked of me, Admiral Zhao."

"Ahead of schedule," Zhao hums; Jet guesses that explains it, "You may have the rest of the day to prepare yourself for battle."

Jet bows shallowly, "Yes, Sir."

Spinning on his heel, he beats a hasty retreat before Zhao changes his mind and makes him do something else – half naked, sweating, and blood rushing through his veins, Jet pushes himself to his feet. Placing his hands on his hips, he concentrates on his breathing before jumping and latching on to the metal bar that had been installed in his temporary room not too long ago. The sweaty teen had gone to his room where he began working out for five hours straight, he hadn't known he'd been in there that long until Iroh came in asking if he wanted to join them for lunch, to which he promptly declined but asked if he could bring something to his room.

10 – 11 – 12 – 13 – 14 – 15 -

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

The knocking itself was impatient and loud, the sound grating on his nerves, dropping from the metal bar he stalks towards the door, and he swears if it's Zhao, he's going to punch the bastard in the mouth. Throwing it open, he glares at a lone soldier who then unhesitatingly pushes his way into the humid room.

"Hey!" Jet snaps grabbing onto the guy's shoulder, "What the hell do you think you're doing!?"

"Shut the door!"

Recognizing that voice, he sheepishly does as ordered, locking it for extra measure, "Do you have a plan?"

"Uncle had asked me the same thing." Zuko says but doesn't elaborate, "So, how are you?"

Jet can't help but laugh, "How am I? I'm not the one who cheated death."

Zuko pauses, "Jet, listen - ,"

"No." Jet frowns, amusement draining, "Don't hide behind that stupid faceplate."

Silence.

Hesitantly, Zuko reaches up and removes his stolen helmet, "Jet, I – you know I can't like you the way you like me."

Jet sighs, running a hand through his hair, "Fire-Bird, do us both a favor and stop beating around the bush. It's insulting."

Zuko's fists clench a second before relaxing, the Prince purses his lips, "I don't – love you."

Jet smiles, he knew it was coming, "See ~ ? Was that so hard ~ ?"

Yes.

Zuko's mind whispers, "That's all really."

The firebender watches his friend chuckle, and even though he was smiling, there was no heart behind it, "Wow Fire-Bird, you really know how to charm a person."

Zuko feels a little ashamed, yeah, that was probably lame, "I – should get going."

"Wait."

Stopping, Zuko watches Jet reach out and grab his wrist, he does his best to calm his heart as the taller boy gingerly pulls him closer, to the point of where their bodies were pressed together, he watches in mild surprise as Jet leans forward and presses a whisper of a kiss to his lips – his heart does a weird flutter while he closes his eyes. Soon, too soon, Jet is pulling away, Zuko following after cool lips until Jet steps back, the shame in Zuko grows hotter. Stepping back as well, Zuko can't hide the blush that creeps into his face, Jet only offers him one of his trademark smirks.

"What was - ?"

"For good luck."

It's a mockery of their first kiss, Zuko purses his lips, realizing that he was trying to imprint the feel of his friend's on his, Zuko nods at Jet before slipping the helmet back on and leaving the room. Later, as he's ready to descend and doesn't see Jet, Iroh explains that Zhao has been ordering him around nonstop since they arrived, Zuko accepts the explanation, but really hopes it isn't because Jet is avoiding him.

Toweling off, Jet pulls his underwear and pants on followed by slipping into his boots, sitting on the wooden bench, he stares at the floor for a second or so before sighing. Getting to his feet, he grabs the towel and slips it over his bare shoulders. Exiting the shower rooms, he starts walking to his room – he'd missed the time to see Zuko off, but he could always tell Iroh that Zhao had him running some ridiculous task or another. Rounding the corner, he stops just shy of bumping into a soldier, stepping back, he scowls once he realizes that it's the bane of his existence. Dramatic much?

"Lion-heart," Zhao greets, he's got a paper in his hand, "How are you faring?"

Jet narrows his eyes, "Why?"

"You have not been your usual plucky self as of late."

"Oh I don't know, Zhao." Jet sneers, "Maybe it's because Prince Zuko has passed to the Spirit World, so please excuse me if I'm not spitting insults left and right, otherwise I'd be more than happy to raise a little hell on this rusty tin can of yours."

"There's the Lion-heart I know." Zhao chuckles as if he were talking with an old friend, "Tell me. How does it feel to have the one thing you loved ripped from your hands?"

"I wouldn't know." Jet frowns, crossing his arms over his bare chest, "I was taught to kill, maim, and torture. I wasn't taught to love."

"Ah yes, that's right." Zhao smirks, "And that's what I like about you, but honestly Lion-heart, did you not notice the way Prince Zuko looked at you?"

"A lot of people tend to look at me." Jet deadpans, "In fact, I find myself looking at a lot of people. Eyes are funny that way."

"It was disgusting." Zhao continues, "So soft and vulnerable. What sovereign in their right mind would yield to another?"

"Is there a point to all of this?"

"There is." Zhao hands the paper to Jet, "I received this message from a messenger hawk, and it's directly from the Fire Lord himself."

"So talk to Prince Iroh about it."

"I can't, for you see, the Fire Lord has ordered that you return to the palace."

Jet takes the paper, "For what reason?"

"It didn't say, but how embarrassing it will be when Fire Lord Ozai asks after his firstborn only to hear that you've failed in protecting his son, I guess you aren't as talented as you'd like to think." Zhao mocks, "Poor, stupid boy. He trusted you with his life and you let him down, and in such a tragic way – tell me, how was he?"

"Did Prince Zuko reject you?" Jet jeers, a wicked smirk spreading across his lips, "Is that why you're always mocking him? Just to get him to look at you? I bet you get off on every scrap of attention he sends your way, tell me, do you have to pay for sex? Pretend its Prince Zuko?" Zhao strikes at Jet, the latter dodging underneath the fiery fist and dancing around the corner, "Admiral, how could you have gotten your rank so quickly? You show no intelligence at all, or did you do Fire Lord Ozai a little – favor? How scandalous!?"

Zhao rounds the corner but no one is there, gritting his teeth, he swears he's going to make the brat pay – making his rounds, Zhao enters the medical room where he gathers a cloth and dabs some chemicals onto it. Exiting the room, he knows everyone should be asleep, even Lion-heart. As much as he would love to watch the boy slaughter some of the snow savages and paint their snow red, he couldn't stand anyone lesser making a fool of him. Coming upon the lethal adolescent's room, he holds his breath and hopes the door won't creak or squeal. It does neither. Slipping into the room, he lets his eyes adjust to the dark before spotting the bed which had its mattress missing, frowning, he scans the area until he spots a dark mass lying in the corner with clutter acting as landmines. Clever. Trekking through the mess, he nearly sets off a sound or two before he makes it to the figure, he grabs at the shoulder only to feel his hand press into nothing, shocked, he pulls at the blanket. No one!

"What are you doing, Admiral?"

Zhao tenses once he feels a blade pressing against his neck, "What does it look like?"

"Hmm-m-m." Lion-heart rumbles, "I'd say you were going to kill me."

"Wrong."

"Am I?"

"You are."

Zhao spins, hitting the blade away from his neck, watches Lion-heart jump back, producing another knife, the Admiral realizing the teenager was dressed and ready to kill – unless he sleeps in his outfit, and really, who does that? He comes back to the present when a knife is sent hurtling for him, bringing up his arm, he feels the weapon bounce off his metal bracer, but as soon as he lets his arm drop, he sees Lion-heart mid-jump. Diving out of the way, he hears an indistinct thud, he turns to see Lion-heart standing upon the table, he can feel those dark eyes on him.

"Why aren't you firebending?" Lion-heart inquires, "Afraid of something?"

"Not quite."

The Admiral throws a pillow knowing the boy will slice at it, once feathers are flying through the air, he rushes forward, cloth ready, the move earns him a knife buried in his arm, but he's got the cloth placed over the brat's mouth. Watches as Lion-heart's glare loses some of its strength before his eyes finally close. Zhao keeps the cloth in place for a few seconds more just in case the boy is faking. Satisfied, he pulls the cloth away and sets it on fire, watching it turn to ash before slinging Lion-heart's arm over his shoulder in a way that mimics a passed out drunk. Peering out into the hall, he half carries, half drags, the boy to two guards, both of which looking mildly startled. Zhao puts on an exasperated mask and a fake sigh:

"Apparently someone drank too much." he starts, jostling Lion-heart in a gesture, "The Fire Lord has sent word that he wants Lion-heart to return to the palace," he hands the limp body over to the men who look like the unconscious body will awaken and kill them all, which may be a possibility, "Make sure no harm befalls our friend here, I'm sure I don't have to tell you what will happen if it does."

"We'll get right on it, Admiral Zhao."

"Good."

The next morning when General Iroh asks of Lion-heart's whereabouts, Zhao lies through his teeth, telling the old General that said teenager had wanted to go ashore with the soldiers, and therefore was with some of the men awaiting his word – a look had crossed the old legend's face, but nods, the man knowing of Lion-heart's inability to sit still for too long if separated from Zuko.

oOo

Moaning, Jet opens his eyes but his vision is bleary and his mind is fuzzy, blinking a couple of times until his vision clears, he finds that he isn't in his room, but somewhere else, turning his head to the left, he spots some medical equipment. Frowning at the out of place objects, he pushes himself up only to hiss, a hand moves to his temple and begins rubbing at it in frustration, he shuts his eyes in hopes that it will boost his concentration – what happened? His eyes fly open, that son-of-an-ashmaker knocked him out!

Letting out a frustrated roar, he moves to get up only to see a group of men rush in, when they see him in his disheveled state, they look mildly startled, Jet shakily slips off the berth and reaches for the closest one, grabbing the front of his armor and pulling him close until they were nose to nose, he hardens his glare as he hisses:

"Where is he?"

The man squeaks, "W-Who?"

"Zhao!" Jet shouts, shoving the man away, "Admiral fucking Zhao! I'm going to kill that son-of-a-bitch once I get my hands on him! So where is he!?"

"I – Sir," another man starts, "Y-You drank too much and had passed out, the men who brought you here said that you were needed in the Fire Nation. Fire Lord Ozai's orders."

Jet blinks, "Passed out? How – how long was I out?"

"An entire day sir." the man speaks a little stronger now that Jet's calmed, "We're nearly at port."

"You're lying!" Jet shoves past the group, storming through the hall where everyone stayed clear of him, once he was out on deck, he realizes the man was telling the truth, they're pulling into port, "Fuck." he gasps a second later, "Zuko."

oOo

He'd failed miserably, not only did he not capture the Avatar but the Avatar and his friends saved him, frustrated and tired, he spots his Uncle not too far from him, as he stands, he pauses, his tired mind confused when he doesn't see Jet. Once Iroh draws closer, Zuko can make out the somber look written across his mentor's face – he feels his heart drop and his blood run cold, the exhaustion draining from his body. Swallowing hard, he opens his mouth but nothing comes out, trying once more, he lets out a weak:

"Where's Jet?"

Iroh looks mildly confused and surprised but seems to know who Zuko is asking for, this making Zuko realize that he'd just slipped on the name thing, but he doesn't really care as of now because where was his friend?

"I do not know, Prince Zuko." Iroh begins, voice grave, "Zhao had said that Lion-heart had gone ashore."

"What - ?"

"But – I hadn't seen him."

If Jet had gone ashore, then he could still be alive, he was an excellent fighter, he could take on some waterbenders, he wouldn't die, but even if he hadn't died, the Northern Water Tribesmen were likely to capture him and hold him as a prisoner and then kill him. Could they go back? Find him? But what if – no, that thing, the water spirit had purged all Fire Nation from the snowy land, and while Jet wasn't Fire Nation, he stilled worked with them and Aang knew that, so – would the kid do that to him? Would he drown – no, he already did, he'd seen Zhao dragged under by the thing, dragged under the icy waters. A hand flew to his mouth, his eyes watering as he imagined the same fate befalling his friend, strained hiccups were escaping and shuddering gasps – he wouldn't survive that! It was too cold! Zuko was able to make it because of his firebending, but Jet? Gods he wasn't even wearing proper winter clothing!

Zuko felt sick to his stomach.

Legs giving out, he feels Iroh rush forward to hold him up, the two firebenders falling to their knees, when he feels his Uncle's warm arms wrap around him, he can't help but bury his face in his Uncle's shoulder and start crying, Iroh even joining in with silent tears of his own – eventually though, Iroh pulls away, wiping at his tears.

"Nephew – we can't stay here."

Zuko only draws his knees to his chest and hides his face amongst his arms.

"I will make a raft."

Iroh sniffles before moving on with his task, Zuko feels fresh tears pricking his eyes, he curls in on himself:

I fucking love you!

I – just want to say I'm sorry.

A sob wracks through his entire body, Jet had apologized for admitting to loving him – he wants Jet back.

oOo

Being called into the throne room 5 minutes after he entered the palace, Jet is ushered to aforementioned room where he's shoved into, glaring at the bastards, he walks towards the fiery dais where he spots someone kneeling before the wall of fire. Jet stops beside the person, realizing that the person is a girl, kneeling at girl's side, he casts a curious glance to her – he pauses. It's Azula. What the hell?

"Iroh is a traitor, and Zuko is a failure." the Fire Lord begins, "You and Lion-heart will hunt them down and bring them back."

Wait – what?

Woo-o-o! Finished! With the first season anyway ~ I hope you enjoyed this chapter!