Okay - this may be longer than 60 chapters, because wow, I honestly didn't think it would be this long! Or maybe it will be at 60, who knows - in other news, I bruised my pinky and ring finger on my right hand and it is extremely hard to type, but I wanted to update for you guys because yay five reviews, I loved your song recommendations ~ ! I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender ~ !

Sitting beside Jet with his head resting upon the taller teen's shoulder, Zuko watches his boyfriend sharpen his dao swords, his movements slow and calming:

"You don't have to do that, you know."

"I know." Jet murmurs, he slides the sharpening stone up along the sword's edge, "But I want to."

The firebender smiles and settles deeper against Jet's side, wrapping his own arms around himself and closing his eyes. The warmth emanating from Jet is soothing, and as the Prince is beginning to drift off into sleep, Aang comes bounding into the cave, shouting at the top of his lungs:

"I NEED PARENTS!"

Katara is the first on her feet, "What?"

Aang runs to her and puts his hand upon her shoulder, "I need parents!"

"But – you don't have any."

"Exactly!"

Jet sets his stone aside, "Why do you need parents exactly?"

Aang turns to him, expression bright, "Jet ~ you can be my dad!"

"Uh-h-h, no thanks." Jet grabs his polishing cloth, "That'd be too much work."

Toph snorts and Aang lets out a whine before his eyes fall on Zuko, "Zuko, what about you?"

Zuko's nose wrinkles, "Why do you want us to pretend to be your parents?"

Jet butts in, "Which is what I asked."

"Well I uh – got into a fight at school. I guess." Aang murmurs, Zuko's lips pull down into a frown but the airbender cuts in, holding a hand up as if to calm Zuko, "But it wasn't a fight! There was this popular kid and he just started swinging his fists around!"

"Did you beat him up?" Jet asks.

"Doubt it," Toph snorts, "He's a pacifist."

Jet huffs, "Well I would have."

Zuko snorts, "That's you."

"Anyway," Aang says trying to steer the conversation back on track, "I kept dodging, which is why I said it wasn't a fight, and I don't know, his own force took him down, and well, a headmaster appeared and thought I was the one who started it. And he wants to meet my parents!" Aang rushes to Zuko's side, sliding on his knees and clasping his hands together, "So-o-o?"

Zuko unconsciously presses himself closer to Jet in an attempt to get some distance between him and Aang, "So what?"

"Will you be my father?"

"You're on your own."

Aang's face falls, "But - !"

"Plus he's the Prince." Jet adds, "Someone's sure to recognize him."

"Guys!" Aang groans, "You're no help at all!"

"Aang, calm down." Katara placates, "Sokka and I will help you."

Sokka lets out a weird gargled sound, "We will?!"

"Yes." Katara narrows her eyes at her Brother, "We will."

"Fine." Sokka sighs, "But we need disguises." Sokka begins moving towards his sleeping roll, "And luckily I have a wonderful disguise in mind!"

"While Sokka gets his disguise together, Toph," Katara turns to the earthbender, "Mine helping me?"

"Yeah, sure." Toph pushes herself up, "I've got nothing better to do."

"Great ~ !" Aang grins, "And I'll just – well, I'll just wait here!"

Watching the two girls disappear, Aang glances at Sokka who is still messing with something then moves to sit opposite of Jet and Zuko, the two sitting side by side, Zuko having settled back down and fallen asleep whilst Jet inspects his work:

"Hey." Jet speaks up.

"Yeah?" Aang answers.

"About last night," Jet starts, sighing and setting Zuko's sword down, "I'm sorry."

"Oh – it's okay." Aang smiles sheepishly, "Really. I shouldn't have been snooping."

"It's a habit." Jet continues, "So if I were you, I wouldn't be doing anymore late night snooping."

"R – right." Aang offers an awkward chuckle, "I'll keep that in mind. No more snooping for me. No sir." he manages to maintain eye contact with Jet until Zuko shuffles, Aang blinks, "Is he asleep?"

Jet looks down at Zuko, "Yup."

"Oh."

Aang continues watching the sleeping firebender snuggled up against Jet's side, the right side of his face buried against Jet's side and scar on full display; he begins wondering if they've always been like this outside of battle, like yesterday, they were like any other normal teenagers. They were actually adorable friends. Smiling, Aang is unaware of Jet currently watching him with a wary expression.

"Ta-da!" Sokka shouts suddenly, "My disguise is complete!"

Jet frowns when he sees Sokka's disguise, "Why?"

Sokka starts stroking the fake beard, "All old guys have facial hair!"

"That is true." Aang nods.

Jet rolls his eyes, "Of course."

Katara finally steps out, "Done ~ what do you guys think?"

Aang offers a smile, "You definitely look different."

Sokka slides up to his Sister and wraps an arm around her; he puffs his chest out, "How do we look?"

Jet snickers, "Ridiculous."

"Oh yeah!?" Sokka deflates, "Well, I'd like to see you in this disguise!"

"Not gonna happen." Jet stows Zuko's weapons into their scabbard, "It looks scratchy."

Sokka opens his mouth to retort when Aang cuts in, "Guys, we gotta go before we're late."

"Okay." Katara is holding her fake belly as she walks, "We'll be back. Bye Toph, bye Jet."

Jet watches the trio leave before he finally speaks up, "She forgot Zuko."

"Well he is sleeping." Toph says, "Plus I think she's jealous."

Jet arches a brow, "What do you mean?"

"Look at him." Toph gestures to Zuko, "I bet you 50 gold that she secretly wishes she were the one snuggled up at your side, or have you not noticed her awkward flirting?"

Jet frowns, "I've noticed."

"And?" Toph prods, "What are you going to do about it?"

Jet shrugs, "Nothing. I'm not interested."

"Right. I'm sure she'll get over it." Toph says as she gets to her own two feet, "I'm going to take a walk."

"Okay."

"You and Sparky need anything?"

"We're good."

"Okay then," Toph waves half-heartedly, "Later losers."

Jet only snorts and starts working on his own two swords – when all is silent except the ocean and the sound of birds, he feels Zuko shift at his side:

"You should set things straight with Katara."

"I know." Jet sighs, setting his sword down, "But I'm hoping she'll figure it out herself."

"Why?"

"So I don't end up on the business end of a water whip."

"You can't pretend to be oblivious forever." Zuko murmurs as he moves to sit up properly, "I don't think she'll give up on you," he presses a kiss to Jet's cheek, startling a blush out of him, Zuko smiles softly, eyes half-lidded, "Especially when you're so adorable."

Jet chuckles and presses a kiss to Zuko's forehead, "Aww ~ you're making me blush."

A quiet and breathy laugh escapes Zuko, the firebender reaching out and cupping Jet's jaw, leaning upward, he presses a kiss to his boyfriend's lips, feeling Jet smile into the kiss before returning it, hands grabbing at Zuko's leg and dragging it over his lap. Smiling, Zuko pulls himself up and sits properly upon the taller boy's lap, Jet setting his hands upon Zuko's hips.

Zuko lets out a little moan and pulls away from Jet, wrapping his arms around his neck and resting his forehead upon Jet's shoulder, "I love you."

Jet lets his hands trail up Zuko's back, wrapping his arms around him and resting his chin on Zuko's shoulder, "Love you too, Fire-Bird."

Zuko chuckles breathlessly, "Haven't heard that one in a while."

"That's because we have an audience."

"Never stopped you before."

"Oh?" Jet smirks, he pulls back to meet Zuko's gaze, "You want me to lay on the cute nicknames?"

Zuko feels his face heat up, "No, I'm just - ,"

"I always loved messing with you."

"Bastard."

"No, I'm an orphan."

Zuko snorts, "Loser."

"Ouch. Right in the feels." Jet smiles as Zuko starts laughing, he reaches up and cups Zuko's face in his hands, "Would it be cheesy if I said I feel like a winner when I'm with you?"

"Stop." Zuko presses his hand against Jet's face, "Just stop."

Jet grins, grabbing Zuko's hand and placing a kiss to his palm, "Spar with me?"

"Okay."

oOo

It's about time for dinner when Toph arrives, having brought some meat kebabs for them and is nearing dusk when the siblings and Aang arrive. At first, neither Jet nor Zuko pay any mind to their loud conversation within the cave, but when Sokka starts shouting does Zuko finally stop and Jet starts listening. Besides, it's kind of hard not to when they talk so loud.

"Should we check up on them?"

"Yeah," Zuko grabs his shirt, "After all, we're traveling with them."

"Right." entering the cave, Jet sees the Water Tribe siblings still wearing their disguises, "What's going on?"

The others turn to look at him, Toph excluded, that is until Katara sees Jet's topless form and looks away with a small blush playing upon her features – Jet doesn't like the look Toph sends his direction. Sokka drags his attention away from the blind earthbender:

"Aang wants to throw a dance party for a bunch of his classmates!"

"Cool." Jet murmurs, "Go for it."

"What?!"

"I see nothing wrong with it - ,"

"No." Zuko says, entering the cave, he throws Jet's shirts at the back of his head, "I don't do parties."

"Well," Aang trails off, "What about a vote?"

"Fine." Sokka huffs, "All in favor of not doing this party raise your hand."

It's only him and Zuko.

"All in favor of doing this party raise your hand." Aang says. He, Katara, and Jet all raise their hands, "Great ~ it's settled then!"

Zuko glares at Jet, arms crossed over his chest, "What?"

"You do realize there will be no alcohol or - ," Zuko's nose wrinkles, "Sex, at this party right?"

"I do." Jet tosses a roll of bandages at Zuko, "I just wanted something to keep the kids busy."

"Why?" Zuko starts wrapping Jet's chest, hiding the burn from view, "What are you going to do?"

"Watch the stars with you." Jet says matter-of-factly.

Zuko moves to stand in front of Jet, fastening a tie, a small smile playing on his lips, "Of course you are."

Jet smiles at Zuko, until his eyes flit behind the Prince, "Hey Katara."

Zuko tenses but pretends he's fixing Jet's bandages, "Hi Jet," her eyes land on his burned forearm and his newly fixed bandages, "How is it? The burns?"

"It's good." Jet strains, "Well, as good as any burn can be."

"I'll help the others." Zuko says, immediately leaving the vicinity.

Katara bites her lower lip then meets Jet's eyes, "Want me to help with your arm?"

"Uh – sure."

Jet watches the waterbender as she takes the wrap and grabs a hold of his arm, he notices her thumb swiping across the surface of his skin – his heart shouldn't hurt when he realizes that he'll never be able to feel with his right hand anymore. He'd gotten over it.

"Does Zuko know?" Katara asks, "About your arm?"

"It hasn't come up."

Over Katara's head, he can see Toph looking in his general direction – Jet frowns:

"Katara, there's something I want to say - ,"

"This is ridiculous." Zuko says, his annoyed tone distracting Jet.

"I'm with Prince Grump." Sokka says, he's situating a candle atop a rock, "This all seems a little silly."

"Only because neither of you know how to have fun." Jet teases, he hears the others laugh.

"Hey." Sokka snaps, "I know how to have fun."

"And your type of fun involves fighting with people." Zuko jabs, "So I wouldn't be talking."

"He got you there!" Sokka turns to Zuko, hand in the air, "High-five man!" Zuko only stares at him in a bemused fashion, "Or not."

"Either way," Jet starts, "It's too late now."

Katara taps his shoulder and hands him his bandages, "Here."

"Thanks." Jet sets it down at his foot and grabs a hold of his shirts, "Now Prince Zuko, if you will do the honors and light this place up."

Zuko rolls his eyes but gets into a firebending stance, shooting small bursts of flame at the wicks of the candles and lighting the place up in a warm glow. Jet straightens his clothing out and wolf whistles, fanning himself off:

"Is it me, or did it just get hot in here ~ ?"

Zuko gives him a deadened stare while Jet grins, Sokka gags, "You two are gross."

Zuko blinks at Sokka incredulously, "I didn't even do anything!"

"I know but - ," Sokka frowns, "You're the Prince, or something, can't you order him to stop?"

"Believe me." Zuko sighs, "I've tried."

Jet slings an arm around Zuko's shoulders, "Besides, it's just harmless fun."

"More like flirting."

"Wait, if people can recognize Jet and Zuko," Toph starts, "Won't they have to wear disguises too?"

"Nah," Jet waves her off, "We'll be out back."

Katara's face twists in confusion, "Doing what?"

"Telling ghost stories around a campfire and eating sweets."

Aang smiles, "Sounds like fun."

"Now don't get scared you two." Sokka teases.

"The only thing that scares me is that dead rat on your face."

Toph busts a gut laughing.

oOo

Exiting the cave and find a perfect little spot in the sand with the gigantic boulders creating a cozy semi-circle around them, Jet watches Zuko sit in the sand, hugging his knees to his chest and eyes staring out at the ocean. Sucking on his upper lip, Jet moves to sit beside Zuko.

"We should have brought a blanket or something."

Zuko only smiles and leans against Jet, resting his head on his shoulder, "I'm good."

Smiling, Jet rests his head atop Zuko's, "Okay."

If there was one thing Jet hated most about the Fire Nation, it was the humid conditions, the stifling weather making his hair fluff up like it used to when he was first brought to Caldera. Shutting his eyes, he realizes that he could just fall asleep right now, sitting with his love and listening to the chirps of crickets and the soothing waves of the ocean.

"Jet?"

"Hmm?"

"The – voice," Zuko tenses, "When did that start?"

Jet feels his chest hollow out, "Do you really want to hear about that?"

"Yes."

"Why?" Jet's face twists, "It's nothing important. I haven't heard it in a while."

Lie.

"Because you're important to me." he feels Zuko nuzzle against him, "And it'll be nice to get it out."

"Zuko," Jet sighs, "It's – the voice has been there since I was eight. I don't think talking about it will help."

"It can't hurt to try." Zuko murmurs, he takes Jet's hand in his own and begins playing with his fingers, "How often do you hear it?"

"Not often." Jet honestly thinks about all the times he's heard it, "Just – when I feel intensely about something. Like I told you before about those Earth Kingdom men I killed." he watches Zuko toy with his hand, "The first Earth Kingdom man I'd killed was an assassin, he was sniffing around your part of the palace, I didn't want to, but my teacher told me that the man would have killed you without a second thought, and I remember thinking you were more important to me than some random stranger, so I took the blade and approached the guy. And the thing is, he didn't fault me, he thought I was a prisoner doing what I was told to protect a friend – he didn't know my friend was the Prince of the Fire Nation."

"I'm sorry."

"No." Jet squeezes Zuko, "Don't be. After I killed him and was put back in my cell, all I could see was his face when I closed my eyes, hear his voice assuring me that the war would end and that I would be free. He didn't know a thing about me. I – I don't remember much, but I do remember feeling so fucking horrible that I began wishing I had died in the fire that took my parents." Zuko squeezes Jet's hand, "I don't feel like that anymore, don't worry." another squeeze, "And then, there it was, it just spoke. I was confused at first, thinking someone was outside my cell or somewhere on the walkways, but there was no one."

"And what did it say?"

"It said that it was the man's fault for being caught, that if he hadn't been caught, I wouldn't have been forced to kill him. It said that I was doing the Earth Kingdom a favor by killing an incompetent assassin, that the man would have killed you without a second thought. I didn't argue with what it was saying because it was right on some level." Jet moves to bury his nose within Zuko's hair, "After that, killing the men had been easier. The voice convincing me that others deserved what I did to them. That it was their fault somehow."

"I - ," Zuko pauses, "Did I make it worse?"

"What do you mean?"

"I – had you out there, fighting Earth Kingdom soldiers and sailors. People."

"No. I honestly hadn't felt bad when I was with you." Jet smiles wryly but Zuko can't see it, "You made everything better. In fact, the only time you made it worse was when you left me for long periods of time."

"Guess I have to stay at your side at all times, huh?"

Jet snickers, "Looks like it."

Zuko chuckles, "I don't mind."

"You know I'm too young to get married right."

Zuko snorts, "And I'm not?"

"Still. I think you're moving a little fast there."

Zuko lies on his back to stare at the stars, "You're lucky I love you."

Jet smiles he turns and hovers over Zuko, "I guess I am." he kisses Zuko, "The luckiest guy in the world."

Zuko blushes but he smiles nonetheless, reaching up, he tangles his fingers in Jet's hair and pulls him back down for another kiss – Jet sighs, breathing against Zuko lips:

"What I wouldn't give to take you right now."

"Pervert."

Jet laughs and lays at Zuko's side to gaze at the stars, "You know, I do wish we had sweets."

"I miss those warm cinnamon buns back in Ba-Sing-Se."

"That you ate all by yourself."

"I told you that you were taking forever to find me!"

"That's because you're a cheater!"

"I am not!"

"Guys!" someone shouts, "Guys! We got to go now!"

Zuko instantly sits up, "What did they do?"

"I don't know." Jet hurries to his feet, "Come on."

Running back towards the cave, Jet spots the Gaang all piling onto Appa, he grabs Zuko's wrist and tugs him into their direction. Reaching Appa, Jet laces his fingers together and tosses Zuko up, the firebender landing gracefully in the saddle before reaching down and grabbing Jet's hand.

Jet nods at Zuko, "Thanks." Zuko nods back, Jet turns to the others as Aang flips the reins, "What happened?"

"The headmaster found out about the dance party." Aang explains, "They were trying to apprehend me."

"I knew the party was a bad idea." Sokka huffs, Zuko humming in agreement.

Jet rolls his eyes but settles back once they're safely in the skies; he sits beside Zuko, "How did it go?"

"It was fun ~ !"

I hate the snow - I slip a lot! I'm more graceful in the dry seasons!