I hope this is acceptable ~ I'm also sorry it's been a while but I just couldn't really bring myself to update this for some reason, I don't know, I guess I'm lazy. I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender ~ !

"The water looks disgusting."

"Looks fine to me."

Zuko levels a blank look at Jet, whom of which had his head tilted back, neck resting upon the saddle's short wall with eyes closed – in short, it meant the guy wasn't even looking at the water like Zuko was.

"You're not even looking."

"Not all water is going to be up to your standards, Prince Zuko."

Glowering at the taller boy, Zuko turns his attention to Aang as the airbender hops onto the saddle, completely covered in what looks like disgusting muck:

"Eh – guys?" Aang starts, the Avatar looking down at himself, "I think the river's polluted."

Jet lifts his head in time for Aang to create a massive blast of wind that sends the sludge flying through the air, coating each and every one of them in the horrid mess. Hacking, Jet can hear Toph spitting out the muck and sees Zuko's amber eyes shining compared to the mess – seconds later, another burst of air clears them of the offending slop.

Zuko takes this time to hiss underneath his breath, "Told you."

"I guess that explains why I can't catch a fish around here," Sokka starts, he turns to them, fishing hook between his index and thumb, "Because my fishing skills are usually off the hook ~ !"

This startles a laugh from Zuko.

Blinking at Zuko in genuine surprise, Jet sees Zuko is just as shocked and twice as mortified, Sokka on the other hand, lights up like a child getting a present for no reason whatsoever. Toph only snorts:

"Too bad your skills aren't on the hook."

The other three laugh, and usually Jet would love to join in at Sokka's expense, but the fact that Zuko had laughed at a completely ridiculous and corny joke made by the Water Tribesman was both adorable and annoying. Adorable because apparently Zuko had, well, a lame sense of humor, and annoying because Sokka had made him laugh without meaning to.

Sokka puffs up, "Well Zuko liked my joke!"

"That doesn't surprise me." Toph huffs, "His humor is as dry as the desert."

Another round of laughter from the three younger members.

"It's okay, Zuko." Sokka sighs, "We're just misunderstood."

And of course Jet sees the way Zuko blinks at the comment before a shy, imperceptible smile twitches across his lips – Jet frowns, feeling something heavy creeping into his chest and curling around his heart.

"It looks like we'll have to go somewhere else to get some food." Katara says, eyes following the roll of paper that crosses in front of her, "Assuming that'll fit into Sokka's master schedule."

"Hmm." Sokka hums thoughtfully, blue eyes roving over said schedule, "It's doable, but that means only two potty breaks today."

"Hey." Aang starts, "Maybe we can get food there!"

Looking to where Aang had pointed, Zuko can feel his stomach roil in disgust at the thought of what kind of food they had there, and yeah, he may have been on the road with his Uncle and then on his own, but at least he had better food than what this place looks like it had to offer. And it may not even be much considering the fact that they're in the middle of a polluted river – unless they had excellent trade, which he doubts. Honestly, he doesn't even know why Jet doesn't care more about how good food or water is considering he had the best growing up alongside him. Or maybe that was just a Jet thing.

oOo

Watching Aang cover his bison in camouflage, Zuko turns to Sokka, "What is the schedule for?"

"Oh." Sokka looks genuinely surprised, "That's right, you weren't – well, it's basically how much time we have until the invasion."

"Invasion?"

"They're planning an attack on the Fire Nation on the day of the eclipse." Jet spits, arms crossed over his chest.

"And you're with us." Sokka snaps at the taller boy before turning his attention back to Zuko, "The eclipse is basically the day when all firebenders lose their bending – uh, even you."

Zuko frowns, "For how long?"

Sokka opens his mouth but Aang cuts in, oblivious to their conversation, "Come on guys ~ let's go!"

"Not long." Jet says as he nudges Zuko forward with his shoulder, "Come on."

Jet knows Sokka is staring him down as he leads Zuko away – nearing the edge of the cliff, Zuko sees all the muck surrounding the sad little village. Pursing his lips, he presses against Jet in an attempt to comfort himself.

"I don't feel anything." Toph says, but she does feel Zuko's movement, "Where is this village?"

"It's in the middle of the river." Sokka points out.

"Sure is!" looking down, the group sees an old ferryman, "My name's Dock. Mind if I ask who you all are?"

"Um - ," Katara looks to each and every one of them, then back to the man, "We're – from the Earth Kingdom Colonies."

"Ah ~ Colonials." Dock says, "Hop on. I'll give you a ride into town."

Keeping their heads low and angled towards one another, both Jet and Zuko take the front of the small boat, the others having had suggested handing them a couple of black cloaks, but Zuko had refused, claiming that it would have made them even more noticeable and suspicious.

"Why do you guys live in the middle of the river?"

"Because we're a fishing town," Zuko about gets hit with the slop covered pole until Jet yanks him down at the last second, "At least, we were until the factory moved in." he's got a headache, "That's where the Fire Nation makes their metal." the firebender stares at the mucked up water, "Moved in a couple years ago and started gunking up our water." he swallows hard, "Now our little village is struggling to survive."

"Hey," Jet whispers, he presses his shoulder against Zuko's, "You okay?"

Zuko nods a little shakily – the thought of the water's inhabitants suffocating beneath the surface reminds him of too much all at once, "Yeah."

Feeling Zuko press against his side, hand holding onto his fingers and squeezing painfully, Jet lets his own weight rest upon Zuko in return, oblivious to the looks they were getting from the other passengers:

"I hope there's nothing wrong," Dock says from the back, "To have the Lion-Heart visiting our little village."

"Nothing at the moment." Jet offers a disarming smirk, "Just visiting the sites. Wanderlust can be a bitch."

Dock chuckles heartily, "And your friend there?"

"He gets sick easily."

"Ah-h-h I see." Dock says, "Boat sick, eh?"

"Something like that."

oOo

Being the first to get off the raft, Jet turns to Zuko and holds a hand out, but when he sees the hesitation in his boyfriend's eyes, he lets his shoulders go lax and features soften:

"Hey," Jet starts again, watching Zuko look up, "What's wrong?"

Zuko shakes his head, "Nothing. I'll just, wait here."

"You sure?" Zuko nods, Jet bites the inside of his cheek, "Okay. We'll be back as soon as we can."

Zuko nods again and Jet sighs, pulling back, he looks to the others and gestures for them to lead the way.

Aang shouts before they leave, "Thanks for the ride!"

All is quiet amongst the group, with the occasional sympathetic noise from Katara, until they're a good distance away from the docking area. Only then does Toph finally ask what had been on everyone's mind:

"What was that about?"

"It's - ," Jet pauses, he's not too sure himself, but that isn't going to stop him from defending Zuko, "It's nothing you need to worry about."

"Really?" Sokka asks, voice speculative, "That didn't look like nothing."

Jet full on glares, "I said it's nothing. Meaning it's none of your business."

"Who cares?" Katara asks crisply, all eyes turn to her, "I mean – he should feel bad."

"Katara," Sokka starts but Katara cuts him off.

"Just look at this place!" Katara exclaims, "These people are suffering and his people are causing this! These people are sick and they're starving! And he doesn't want to face any of this because it makes him feel bad?!"

"Katara." Aang says sternly, but just like what happened to Sokka, he's cut off, but by Jet this time.

"You don't know him!" the sudden boom of Jet's voice catches the attention of a handful of lingering villagers, he jabs a finger harshly against her bare shoulder, learning close until their noses are an inch apart, he hisses, "He has his reasons for doing what he does, reasons you don't understand because you don't know him, so what gives you the right to judge him, to talk about him like that?"

Katara blinks, "Jet - ,"

"He made the choice to join up with us and he hasn't done a single thing remotely suspicious. All in all, he's better than the rest of his people." he straightens up, hearing whispers of Lion-Heart, "If you guys need me, I'll be back at the dock with my friend."

Aang watches Katara's shoulders slump, he offers a kind smile, "Why don't we just get what we came for?"

oOo

Returning to the docks with a stiff and hurried gait, Jet only slows and stops in his place once he sees Zuko sitting near the edge of the raft, looking into the sludge-infused river. Letting the tension melt from his body, he smiles tiredly and approaches his boyfriend, making sure his steps are heard over the quiet din of the sickly village – he watches as the Prince looks up from his musings of the water to meet his gaze.

"Where are the others?"

"Getting the food."

Zuko's brows pinch, "Why aren't you with them?"

Jet chuckles quietly as he maneuvers himself carefully to sit beside Zuko, "They can be a bit much sometimes."

The Fire Prince smiles and Jet presses their shoulders together, relishing in the feel of the warmth exuding from his beloved's body. Resting his head against Zuko's, he rolls his neck and ducks downward, his nose burying within the crook of the Prince's neck. Skin soft and warm.

"There isn't a day where I can survive without touching you."

Jet can feel Zuko's pulse flutter, "What about when you left me for the Avatar?"

"Don't say it like that." Jet's voice is muffled but Zuko can feel the smile, "But technically I was ordered to leave and – maybe I should have fought harder to stay at your side." he presses a butterfly kiss upon firm muscle, "What I meant was, there isn't a day where I can go without thinking of you."

Zuko snorts, "Even when you sleep."

"Always on my mind, babe."

The sovereign huffs but turns to bury his own nose within Jet's hair, Jet's fluffy hair, he shuts his eyes and remains silent for a full minute before he speaks about what's been on his mind:

"There's a lot of water. Don't you think?"

"Water does make up pretty much everything."

"Don't you think it's a – little scary?"

"Never really did." Jet slowly lifts his head, Zuko removing himself from Jet, "Why?"

"I just - ," Zuko looks at the murky water, "Memories."

Jet purses his lips at such a troubling answer but straightens them out and presses them to Zuko's perfect cheekbone, the scarred side, but Zuko doesn't flinch, "You're okay. And I'm okay. We're both here. Together."

"Yeah." Zuko whispers.

Unbidden memories of ice, snow, and watching a man being pulled to his death deep within icy waters rise to the forefront of his mind. They stare at the water moments before the others return.

oOo

Hearing rustling, Jet's eyes snap open, hand flying for the blade he'd hidden underneath his bedroll – he sees Katara fixing what looks to be a bush into her sleeping roll shortly before she covers it with the roll's blanket. Narrowing his eyes, he sits up when the girl turns the corner of the large outcropping of earth, looking to Zuko's sleeping form, he watches and waits for any sign of movement, making sure the Prince doesn't wake before he takes off after the girl.

Rounding the corner, he sees her gathering what looks like a hooded robe:

"What're you doing?"

His voice is low, quiet enough that it won't wake the others, but loud enough for her to hear – Katara startles, a quiet eep escaping her. Spinning on her heel and stuffing the cloak behind her back, she sees Jet staring at her with suspicion in his eyes, his arms crossed over his chest.

"J – Jet! I was just - !" her eyes dart to the ground before flicking back up, she offers a sheepish smile, "Going for a walk."

"I don't even need Toph to tell me you're lying." Jet says, voice curt, "Try again."

Katara sighs, shoulders slumping, "I want to help those people out." she looks towards the village and shuts her eyes, "They're sick and nobody, not even their own people care."

"If that's a reference to Zuko - ,"

"No!" Katara starts, "No it's not!" she watches Jet's eyes narrow, lip curling into a sneer, "I'm sorry about that, by the way, I didn't – I know I don't know him as well as you do, but I just – I don't understand how he can see them suffering and not do anything about it."

"You're right." Jet spits, "You don't understand." he watches her shrink in on herself, he sighs, "But what is one night going to do for those people?"

She looks up, bewildered, "Huh?"

"You heard me." Jet moves towards a nearby bush and begins pushing aside a few leaves until he finds what he's been looking for, picking out a berry, he tosses it her way, she manages to catch it in the dark, "These berries will turn your tongue purple. Give some to Appa and make it seem like he's sick. That'll give you a few more nights to help them as much as you can."

"I - ," she's blinking rapidly, her chest swelling at the knowledge that Jet was willing to help, she rushes to the tall boy and wraps her arms around him, "Thank you, Jet."

Jet tries not to tense up, letting his hands hover in the air awkwardly, "Just – don't do anything stupid."

"I won't ~ ," she says, cheeks hurting from smiling so wide, "I promise ~ ."

The waterbender pulls away, smiling up at the boy and his now crooked smirk, the same smirk he'd had back before he betrayed them – one that promised the answers to all of your questions, one that promised untold adventure. Without thinking, she surges forward, pressing her lips to Jet's. It's chaste and warm. It's like diving into cold water, the feeling of your breath being taken away and your chest being pressured. It feels amazing.

Except, Jet isn't moving.

Pulling away once more, she stares wide-eyed at Jet who looks, for a lack of better wording, shocked – that is until he gets himself under control. He shakes his head, his shaggy hair shaking with his movements:

"I just got done telling you not to do anything stupid."

"Sorry."

Jet sighs, he waves her off, "Just go."

She nods and hurries away from his sight, her heart racing a mile a second at the thought of what she'd just done, he hadn't pulled her close, he hadn't reciprocated, but he hadn't pulled away either. She was definitely picking up on some mixed signals. Shaking his head, Jet turns and makes his way back to where the others are sleeping, finding his spot beside Zuko, he settles down and falls asleep.

Does Toph know?

Toph knows not.

Jet and Zuko are just the cutest, but seriously, boy has to say something before people get hurt.