I'm sorry I took so long, I have no excuse, but now I must say that weekends have somehow become family night so I may or may not update those days. Anyway ~ I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender!

Shortly after their breakup, Jet had understood that everything he'd said to Zuko had been greatly uncalled for and most definitely crossed a line or five, and therefore he knew that the firebender, who was prone to fits of anger for long periods of time, would need some space and some time to himself, and so Jet, like the good boyfriend he is, or thinks he is really, gives his precious Fire-Bird all the time and room he could possibly want, even after Iroh had smothered both him and the Prince in paternal affection that one day – but all of that had been a total of twelve days ago! And now it was driving Jet crazy! Did Zuko want him back?! Did Zuko want him to leave and never come back?! What did he want?! How was Jet supposed to know when the other hasn't bothered to talk to him at all!?

Slamming the tray onto the counter with a force that makes the teacups rattle, he manages to attract the attention of the entire teashop, Zuko included, but when their eyes meet for the briefest of seconds, Jet sees concern in the other's eyes as well as insecurity – and that's when it hits him. Perhaps Zuko hasn't done anything because he's unsure of himself and where they stand, and damn if that doesn't pull at Jet's heartstrings since the young Fire Prince could be pretty self-deprecating when he wanted to be. Blinking with this new revelation, Jet can't help but smile at the thought, Zuko's timidity was both adorable and heartbreaking, enough so that he wants nothing more than to pull the firebender into a kiss and make him feel like he's worth every breath he breathes, and right in front of everyone currently idling within the shop.

He doesn't.

But he could.

So when their scheduled lunch-break rolls around, Jet makes sure he's the first out the door so neither Iroh nor Zuko know what he has in mind/store for his beloved. Of course, his sudden departure earns curious glances from both Princes:

"Li?" Iroh starts, "Is there something wrong between you and Fan?"

"No." Zuko frowns at the look his Uncle gives him, "Why?"

"It's just," Iroh chooses his words carefully, "You two are usually attached at the hip is all."

Zuko can't help but fluster at the fact since yeah; he was pretty lonely without Jet, "Just because we're friends - !"

"Brothers." Pao interrupts, coming from seemingly nowhere.

"Brothers can be friends too!" Zuko snaps irritably, doing his best not curse out his boss, "Anyway!" he turns his attention back to his Uncle, "It doesn't mean we have to spend every waking second together!"

Silence.

"Perhaps Fan has recently acquired himself a new lady friend."

The scarred teen swears to Agni that he's going to kill the nosy old man, he looks to his Uncle, expecting the man to feel something similar to disbelief, but to the young Prince's dismay, his Uncle wore a thoughtful expression!

"Yes ~ !" Iroh finally exclaims, beaming excitedly – he had no right to do that, "Why didn't I think of that ~ ?!"

"Uncle," Zuko growls between gritted teeth, "No."

"Now all we need is for Li to find himself a nice girl to make an honest man out of him ~ !"

Gods, Zuko throws his hands up and storms into the kitchen, "Ugh-h!"

When Jet returns from the marketplace, he makes sure to hide his gift for Zuko behind his back, at least until he finds the firebender scrubbing irritably at some dishes, his face scrunched into an annoyed grimace. And with everyone seemingly gone for now, Jet can't help the grin that stretches across his face. Feeling overall giddy, he approaches the tense boy and gingerly wraps an arm around his chest, his hand resting upon Zuko's chest, pressing his body comfortably against Zuko's, he lays his chin upon a tense shoulder – before Zuko can really open his mouth to say anything, Jet beats him to it by presenting a bouquet of red ash-roses with little candied treats arranged amongst the stems.

Cliché?

Damn straight, but classics were appreciated every now and then, especially now when he feels Zuko's body temperature skyrocket as he gently takes the elegantly arranged bouquet from him. Zuko half-heartedly fighting the light, airy feeling beginning to build and swell within his chest.

"Jet," Zuko breathes, body relaxed now, "What are you doing?"

"Once I realized that you weren't going to make the first move, I decided that I would." Jet explains pleasantly, placing a quick peck onto Zuko's cheekbone, "And I know this won't make up for what I said, but it's a start – although, if I'm to be perfectly honest, this whole twelve days without you has been punishment enough, so, I'd really love it if you let me come back."

A pleased sigh escapes Zuko as he rests his weight against Jet so they're slumped against one another in a lazy embrace, "Of course."

Smiling, Jet wraps his other arm around Zuko and holds him tighter, and while Jet would have loved nothing more than to spend the rest of their break like this, Iroh promptly walks in and ruins the moment. The old man's voice stutters to a stop once he sees them in the rather compromising position that spoke volumes of unspoken affection, the compromising position in which the two teenagers quickly break out of.

Finally Iroh asks, "Should I come back later?"

And while Jet smiles easily enough, he'd love nothing more than to throttle the old man, even if Zuko's flustered countenance is so worth them getting caught, "Don't worry, it wasn't anything like that."

"Oh?" Iroh challenges, a focused glint in his eyes that reminds Jet that the man is experienced, "It sure seemed like it to me."

"Nah," Jet waves him off, "Li here was just helping me. I met this really amazing person earlier this week and I really want to make a good enough impression on them."

Meanwhile Zuko was currently jealous of Jet's ability to lie.

"That's great news ~ !" Iroh says, the man immediately forgetting what he'd walked in on, "Who's the lucky young lady ~ ?"

"Actually," Jet begins, if he and Zuko are going to be together, he wants to test Iroh's reaction beforehand, "It's a guy."

The way Zuko looks at him in shock sells the lie before he turns to gauge his Uncle's reaction as well, both teens watching as the news finally sinks in and Iroh's thoughtful reaction soon turns to that of pure joy as he beams brightly:

"Well then, you'll have to bring him around some time ~ I'd love to get to know this young man!"

"What?" Zuko blurts unintentionally just as Pao walks in.

"Fan! I need you to work the tables!"

Grinning, Jet gives Pao a mock-salute, "Yes Sir, Admiral Pao, Sir!"

Gawking at his Uncle who watches both Jet and Pao leave, a content smile gracing his old features, Zuko opens and closes his mouth several times, his mind working on finding something to say, until finally he settles on a stuttered sentence that just comes off wrong, making him sound like he was bothered by it.

"Uncle – you don't mind that Fan is with a – boy?"

"Of course not ~ ." Iroh smiles at him, "If Fan finds love and happiness in a young man, then so be it, so long as he is happy then I am as well. After all, with times being what they are, love is considered to be quite a treasure ~ ."

"Oh." Zuko can't help the pinching of his brows, "Okay."

"Why?" Iroh scans his Nephew's perplexed expression, "Does it bother you?"

"I – no! No, not at all!" Zuko shakes his head, "I just, I don't know. Doesn't it disgust you?"

"Not at all, love is a precious thing, Prince Zuko." Iroh says sagely, leveling a look at Zuko, "Despite his interest in a person of the same gender, he is still the same boy we've known since he was eight years old."

"But – the Fire Nation," Zuko struggles to get his words right, "They frowned upon it."

"Truth is," Iroh begins, "Only your father disapproved of such things."

"What?"

"Were you so narrow-minded in your search for the Avatar that you forgotten about the crew and their support of yours and Lion-heart's relationship?"

"I - !" Zuko pauses, remembering the crew's cheers, "Oh – I hadn't."

"See ~ ?" Iroh smiles, patting Zuko's shoulder supportively, "I hope you will not treat him any different."

"I won't but – if it were me,"

"The only ones who would disapprove are your father, and perhaps some Generals, and the young ladies." Iroh says, his smile turning gentle, "And if it makes you happy, then they have no say on the matter."

Frowning, Zuko thinks on his Uncle's words before sighing in agitation and shakes his head to rid himself of the troubling thoughts before moving to the forefront of the teashop. With an influx of customers, Zuko takes his spot behind the counter and takes to watching, or scowling, at the customers – until his eyes catch Jet chatting amicably with some of the female customers, a charming smile in place with honeyed words dripping from his lips. The Fire Prince can't help but smile at the wonderful sight his boyfriend made. And if it didn't bother his Uncle that Jet was apparently interested in a guy, then would it be safe to say that he wouldn't mind Zuko's interest in – well, Jet – seeing as how he didn't really find other males all that appealing or noteworthy.

Two hours after the lunch rush finds both Jet and Zuko milling about behind the counter with Jet doing little things to annoy the Prince, such as untying his apron or slipping something down his shirt – after Jet unties his apron for the eleventh time, Zuko gives up and turns to Jet with an almost-frown that doesn't so much as affect the taller teen for he actually grins in the face of Zuko's annoyance.

"Don't you have something better to do than undress me?!"

The shouted question has Jet reeling, eyes wide and innocent, a couple of patrons choke or cough making Zuko realize that he's yet to master his inside voice. It's especially embarrassing when said customers approach the table to pay for their drinks, their eyes averted from Zuko as he takes their money. And the light blush dusting his cheek soon envelopes his entire face once Jet starts laughing at him for his slip up. Cursing Jet colorfully, he grabs a nearby tray and shoves past the laughing teen to gather the stray teacups left behind on the tables. Once he's gathered the errant cups does he finally spot the girl with twin braids sitting in the same spot she's occupied for the last couple of days. Suspicious and now on high alert, he approaches the counter where Jet is watching Iroh situate some of the dinnerware:

"We have a problem," Zuko speaks quietly, catching Jet and Iroh's attention, "One of the customers is on to us." Zuko watches his Uncle get off the step ladder, once he's sure his Uncle is listening, he continues, "Don't look now, but there's a girl over at the corner table, she knows who we are." and what do they both do? They both look! "What did I say?!" Zuko hisses, "Don't look!"

"You're right, Zuko." Iroh starts coyly, "I've seen that girl here quite a lot. It seems to me she has quite a little crush on you."

"What?!" both Jet and Zuko exclaim in unison.

"Thank you for the tea."

All three turn to see the girl Zuko was talking about, Jet takes in her appearance while Zuko quickly takes the girl's money and turns away, the firebender silently hoping that she didn't hear what they were talking about, or simply hoping that she would just go away, either one would work. But of course, the world hates him.

"What's your name?"

Zuko feels his heart hammer against his chest as he turns to face the girl, "My name's Li." he hears Jet snicker and glares at the teen who pretends to play with his bandages, "My Uncle, Brother, and I just moved here."

"Hi Li," the girl greets warmly, "My name's Jin. Thank you, and," she looks away, a small blush forming on her cheeks, "Well, I was wondering if you would like to go out sometime."

Zuko's mind promptly freezes as he stares wide-eyed at the girl before his eyes slide to Jet who was now staring heatedly at his bandaged arm, the firebender returns his gaze to the girl, technically he and Jet were dating again, but of course he couldn't tell her that, everyone thought they were brothers, and if he were to say that he was already seeing someone, his Uncle would demand to know who this person was – he didn't have to worry for long as his Uncle scoots into his personal space, the old firebender beaming as he says:

"He'd love to ~ !"

What?

"Great ~ !" Jin smiles, "I'll meet you in front of the shop at sundown ~ ."

Oh no.

Zuko's eyes slide back to Jet who looks vaguely affronted by Zuko's sudden date while Iroh wraps a friendly arm around his Nephew and resting a hand on his shoulder, a happy grin etched onto his face. Scowling at his Uncle, he promptly removes his relative's hand from his personal space and storms into the back.

oOo

Lounging around the kitchen entrance while both firebenders fussed over Zuko's appearance, the main point of argument being his spiky hair, Jet thought back over the course of the week, he should have realized that someone was bound to take an interest in Zuko, but he'd only really ever saw the Prince as his and felt that others would know this somehow but now, he looked into the room and had to do a double take, now Jet knew otherwise. Biting on his lower lip to keep himself from making any kind of sound resembling a laugh, Jet struggled to get his mouth back under control and to stop smiling crookedly – but once Zuko glared at him, all bets were off. Laughing at the pouty firebender, Jet couldn't stop until he was doubled over.

"Shut it or I'm leaving you again."

Instantly Jet falls silent, choking back on his laughter, "S–Sorry."

Iroh soon exits the room with a proud smile on his lips, "Doesn't he look strapping, Fan ~ !"

Oh God. "Y-Yeah, sure does! Look, I'm gonna head out and meet with some friends I met on the ferry, I'll be back later, okay?"

He's making for the exit doing his best not to laugh, "Oh, Smellerbee and Longshot?"

"Yup, those are the ones!" Jet says, hurriedly escaping, "Don't wait up!"

Once the door closes behind him, he laughs as quietly as he can into his hand before he hides in a nearby alley. Yup, he was totally going to spy on his boyfriend. When Jin showed up, Jet listened to her compliment Zuko and Zuko's half-hearted complaint about the girl messing up his hair that his Uncle took 10 minutes to fix. Shadowing the duo to a restaurant, he made sure to stay on Zuko's left as to avoid detection, once the two found a table and ordered, he listened to the busty girl attempt to start a conversation with the firebender who answered with clipped remarks, Jet feeling pride in knowing that he was the only one Zuko talked to in length. But when the waiter came over and asked Zuko if he and his girlfriend wanted desert, Jet felt his nails dig into his palm, the pain easing only when Zuko shouted at the man, proclaiming she is not my girlfriend! This of course, resulted in everyone at the restaurant to stare at him until he awkwardly started a conversation with Jin, and Jet blames everything that happens after to be Zuko's hormones acting up – even though it was rather amusing, Jet couldn't stand to watch any longer and made a quick escape for home, surprising Iroh.

"Fan, you're early!"

"Yeah," Jet shrugs, "They weren't home."

"Well, perhaps you would like to join me for dinner."

"Sure," Jet moves to sit opposite of Iroh, "I've got nothing better to do."

"Not even spending time with this mysterious boyfriend of yours ~ ?"

"Here's the thing," Jet began sheepishly, he decided that he'd set Iroh straight, "I don't have a boyfriend, well, I do, but – he's." Jet sighs, shoulders slumping, "It's Zuko. I – I've loved your Nephew for a while now and well, it's – we didn't tell you because - ,"

Iroh places a hand upon Jet's wrist, causing Jet to stop his random babbling, "Are you two happy?"

Jet swallows, "Yeah."

"How happy?"

"Happier than we've ever been."

Iroh chuckles as he retracts his hand, "Good, but to be honest, I should have known. I felt there was something, but I didn't think it was this serious."

"So, you're not mad or anything?"

"Of course not ~ you make Zuko happy and he makes you happy." Iroh says before he gives Jet a deadpan stare, "But if you break his heart or hurt him in any way, all bets are off and I will make you suffer."

"Don't worry," Jet grins, "I've been good to him so far."

"And I will make sure to keep the young ladies from both of you."

We all know I can't keep Jet and Zuko away from each other for too long, and next chapter may be a filler filled with gooey, fluffy, Jetko goodness ~ !