So I got an ask from an anon on my tumblr asking what ship To Be Human - Sia reminds me of, and I couldn't stop seeing Jetko, because of that, I was inspired and here this is ~ if you don't know my tumblr: Zuko-Of-Asgard, feel free to drop a song rec or just to talk ~

It was not the reunion Zuko had imagined he would have with Jet, he had envisioned it to be a little more heartfelt and all eager touches, not that he wasn't any less relieved to have his fiancé back where he knew he was safe and could see him, but the stilted way the older teen had reacted to him was unexpected. It especially broke his heart when he saw the look on Jet's face when he pulled away after getting lost within his own head, and the way he'd held a hand out to him, as if to keep him back, to keep him from touching him, crushed him more than words could say, and Zuko couldn't forget the way Jet had assured him in a shaky voice that he was fine, that it was memories that caused him to pull away.

The firebender couldn't fathom what he must have gone through to make Jet flinch away from the simplest of contact, so he had given Jet space and allowed him some time to breathe. The feelings in his chest worsened when he came to the conclusion that Jet must have lapsed back into those memories he was held prisoner because both he and Azula shared the same blood, which mean there would be a resemblance between them – Jet was one of the last people he wanted to hurt.

"Zuko?"

Looking up from his now empty bowl of stew, he sees Katara looking at him with her wide, blue eyes filled with concern, her features were soft, and she was leaning forward, towards him as if what she was about to say was something only for the two of them.

"Yes?"

"How's Jet? Have you talked to him?"

Zuko purses his lips and looks away from her imploring gaze, "Not yet."

The waterbender sets her own bowl aside, "May I ask why? I thought you would have been glued to his side the second you all stepped off the warship, you were so sad when he was gone, and now that you have him, you're acting - distant?"

"It was only yesterday I got him back, Katara." Zuko spits, glaring at the group's healer, "How would you know that I've been acting distant?" the Fire Prince sees the girl open her mouth and immediately stands, "I'm going to bathe, make sure you keep the fire going. And, give this to Jet."

Meanwhile, Jet starts to stir, blinking blearily as he stares at the stone ceiling overhead until his tired mind catches up to the here and now. Recalling how lost he'd felt yesterday with the arrival of Zuko, he allows himself time to gather his wits and put his walls up before he addresses the others, it would take quite a lot out of him if yesterday was anything to go by. Taking a deep breath, he pushes himself up and slides out of the bed he'd been given, slipping the prison shoes on because no one else has a spare change of clothes for him, he exits the room and starts for the bathing room Aang had introduced as their main one. Once in the room, he stares at his reflection in the mirror, running his fingers through his wild hair, he combs it back and ties it off with the tie he'd gotten from Katara last night the second she saw his hair, once that's done, he turns on the tap and watches the water slosh and fill the basin, cupping his hands, he dips his hands into the basin and splashes cold water onto his face, the cold waking him up – feeling fresh and ready to start the day, he looks at his reflection one final time and leaves the room.

Exiting the air temple and walking out onto one of the many overhanging platforms, Jet sees the others sitting around a single small campfire, a pot hanging over the small flames, almost simultaneously, the group turns to face him, making him pause in his steps.

"Good morning, Jet ~ ." Katara greets, "We still have some food for breakfast if you want any ~ ."

Jet grins as he approaches, he takes the bowl from her hand, "Thank you, Katara."

As he settles between her and Aang, she speaks once more, "That reminds me," she turns and grabs a hold of something dark, she presents it to him, "Zuko told me to give you these once you woke up, they're spares of yours, we've also got your pack."

While Jet takes the offered clothing, Sokka speaks up, "I didn't know you bought spares." he doesn't give Jet time to answer when he lights up, "Hey! Now that Jet is back, maybe Zuko's fire is working again! You know, since his emotions were drained or whatever!"

Aang responds, "He's always had his fire, Sokka, it was just – weak."

"My point still stands."

Jet sets his bowl in front of him, having not taken a single bite, "I think I'll get dressed now." he stands, "And possibly look around for a bit."

"Oh." Katara blinks.

The blind kid finally speaks, "You didn't even touch your food."

Jet shrugs, "I'm not all that hungry."

Sokka clasps his hands together and makes obnoxious kissing noises at the Earth Kingdom male, "I bet he's going to go look for his moody fiancé."

Jet feels his heart race, he notices the blind girl smirk, and then the girl that had escaped from prison with them slaps Sokka on the arm, "Knock it off, Sokka, I think it's cute."

Swallowing hard, Jet starts to feel sick to his stomach and turns, leaving the group behind, but as he's walking, he can still hear Sokka talking, not to him, but to the others, he was just that loud:

"I bet he and Zuko will be making out in the next few days."

Someone must have smacked him while shushing him, but Jet has already heard and it gives him even more to think about – Azula had told him that these people were to not be trusted, that they would lead him astray, but wasn't it a bit much and rather pointless to try and make him think he not only dated and loved, but was the fiancé of Zuko? Should he play along? Make them think he was actually who they thought he was in the past? And who were the Earth Kingdom kids he'd seen the night they returned from the prison?

Shaking the thoughts from his mind and worsening his headache in the process, he starts to strip and slip into the clothes that had been given to him, the clothes that were apparently his, the clothes that Zuko had wanted Katara to give to him – why couldn't the firebender do it himself? If they were really as close as they had been, then wouldn't he be doing his all to be with him?

Another wave of pain hits, prompting him to drop the thought entirely and decides to do what he'd said he was going to do – the temple walls feel familiar, like he'd been there before in another lifetime with someone else, an old man who smelled of tea and a boy who'd lost his home. Before he can think further on it, he hears the rushing of water in his ears, at first he thinks it's his imagination, but with each step he took, the sounds got louder. Wanting to investigate the source, he follows the sound until he enters a large room with colored-tile murals and fanciful stone molding, there are several stone benches tucked against the walls, the floor is also decorated with colored-tiles that make swirling pictures, there's a hole in the ceiling that looks more like it had caved in rather than made, water spills through the opening as well as the sun's light, the water falls into a large, circular, stone bath imbedded within the floor, and underneath the falling water is a figure. The person's back is to him, allowing him to get a long and good look at a muscular back, his eyes travel down a dipped spine, landing on a toned behind, and down a pair of strong legs, the person turns and steps out of the waterfall, only to pause when they notice Jet standing there, this gives Jet enough time to take in the person's appearance and realize that it's Zuko, the sight he makes creates a desire to mar pale flesh with marks, to run his fingers through dark hair, to hold the exposed firebender in his arms – realizing that he was giving Jet quite the view, Zuko feels his face heat as he hurries towards the tub's stone walls and snatches his towel up, wrapping it around his hips and leveling Jet with an embarrassed look:

"How long were you standing there?"

Jet tilts his head and seems to let his body melt, "Not long." he starts walking towards the tub, each step he takes making Zuko's heart beat faster, "But that doesn't mean I didn't see a thing." Jet takes a seat on the wall of the tub, now Zuko knows they've seen each other without a stitch of clothing on, but that doesn't stop his body from burning, "Come now, there's nothing to be embarrassed about, you're handsome, you've got a nice body, flaunt it."

Zuko realizes the water is starting to sizzle when Jet's eyes follow the steam upward, "I'm – I'm not going to flaunt anything!" he splutters indignantly, "Now turn around so I can get dressed!"

The Prince sees Jet roll his eyes, but turns anyway, "I already saw you, I don't see why." Zuko exits the warm water and dries himself off with his firebending, once he's fully clothed, he hears Jet, "Can I look now?"

"Go ahead." Zuko mutters as he starts to walk out of the room, he doesn't want to be around Jet out of fear of bringing back painful memories, even if it seems like he'd like to forget yesterday even happened, "The tub is all yours."

Zuko hears footsteps following him; he feels a mix of delight and dread, "What're you doing?"

"I'm going to help the Avatar with his firebending stances."

"I heard it's been pretty tough so far."

"Yeah," Zuko mutters, "You can say that."

The Prince frowns as Jet starts to chatter about whatever crossed his mind, there was something different about him, about them, it felt like there was an invisible wall between them, and while it seemed like Jet was attempting to break through this wall – it felt wrong. Like he was forcing himself, like he was urging Zuko to do the same and gloss over his little panic attack last night on Azula's warship, like looking at Zuko didn't bring back painful memories that should remain forgotten. And knowing, and loving, Jet as much as he did, he knew that's exactly what Jet was aiming to do, to bury it and let it fester, to let it rot and poison him until it became too much and he broke, adding another tally to his already full plate.

While it was something Zuko would have gladly gone with a month or so prior, he now knew how Jet held onto these things and refused to play along – realizing the firebender wasn't really responding to him, he looks towards his companion and sees his eyes are glazed over, meaning he was deep in thought. Whatever it was the firebender was thinking of appeared to be rather troubling, judging by the expression on his face, but since he was so deep in his own head, this gave Jet time to study him, and he realized, that he really is handsome.

Finally, Zuko seems to snap out of it and slows to a stop, Jet stopping alongside him, when Zuko looks at him, Jet feels the world fall away again, leaving just the two of them:

"I'm going to be teaching Aang firebending, considering that you just got out of Azula's clutches," he pauses, looking unsure of himself, "I don't think its best that you accompany me."

And Jet feels so many things at once upon hearing that: indignation, distress, offended, bewildered, and so much more, but all those emotions were summed up into one word, "What?"

"I said - ,"

"No, I heard what you said, I just – why?"

"Do you really need to ask?"

Jet frowns, "Apparently I do."

Zuko sighs, he looks both annoyed and pained, "Yesterday, you couldn't see the look on your face when you pulled away from me. You looked – scared, hurt. When you told me that you were remembering things, I realized that you'd been dealing with Azula and that seeing as she's my sister, the resemblance between us is there. I don't – I don't want to put you through even more stress just because – I just don't."

Jet blinks, can't believe what he's hearing, can't understand what he's hearing, "That's why you were - ," Jet frowns, remembering what the others said, "I thought you would be happy to have me back? So what if I have to go through a little bit of pain just to - ?"

"No, Jet!" Zuko snaps, Jet startles at the sudden raise in the other's voice, the firebender takes a deep breath and calms himself down, "I don't want that for you. I don't want you to force yourself, I love you too much to let you ever do anything like that. I don't want you suffering, I want you to be happy, and healthy, and if that isn't with me then – then I'll accept it."

"No." Jet snarls, he takes a step into Zuko's space and glares down at the firebender, "You don't get to tell me what to do and how to feel, this is my life, not yours and I can do whatever I want with it! If that means staying with you, then you can't change my mind!"

"That isn't love, Jet!" yells Zuko, he's now scowling at Jet, eyes bright with emotion, "It may be your life and I may not be able to tell you what to do, but it's my life you're attempting to force yourself in! And if I don't want you in - !"

The Prince is cut off when he feels Jet grab the lapels of his overcoat and drag him close, smashing their lips together in a painful mockery of a kiss. It's messy and it kind of hurts, but the feeling of Jet close and so warm has him melting into it regardless of the execution. Letting his arms wrap around the taller boy, he shuts his eyes and returns the kiss, his hands wander up to Jet's hair and tangles within the strands, pulling Jet's head closer – he'd missed him, he really did.

When Jet pulls away and Zuko sees the look in his eyes, he knows there'll be trouble on the horizon, but for now, the Earth Kingdom man turns on his heel and storms away in petulant silence. The Fire Prince knows that it'll be painful to be apart after just finding one another, but he knows it's the right thing to do, even if Jet doesn't see it.

"Hey, Zuko ~ are we going to practice yet?"

Zuko startles at Aang's chipper voice, twisting, he sees the Avatar standing on a nearby platform, "Uh," Zuko looks back in the direction Jet had disappeared, "Yeah, sorry for the wait."

oOo

"I'm so stupid! What in Agni's name was I thinking!?"

The pain Jet had felt when he heard the firebender alluding to him not wanting Jet in his life had been too much, he had thought they were comfortable with each other and then the dumbass goes and says something like that? And what was that talk of love and how he loved Jet too much to force him into doing anything? And let's not forget how Zuko had gone and said Azula was his sister like it was the most obvious thing in the world, he even knew of the similarities between them and pinned it on why Jet had reacted the way he did, which was true but he didn't need to know that, so what was going on?! Someone was lying to him, but who was it?!

In due time, he would figure it out, but right now he had to do something about the horrid twisting in his chest, and he knew exactly how he was going to take care of it, and it involved a certain stubborn firebender who thought he knew what was better for Jet than Jet himself – Jet spots Katara first, he storms up to the waterbender.

"Katara, where's your brother?"

Katara blinks at him, "Sokka?" he mustn't be hiding his emotions very well if the look on her own is an indication, "I know he can be a bit – much from time to time, but I don't think – what did he even do?"

"Nothing, I just need to borrow his sword."

"His sword." Katara purses her lips, her hand coming up to toy with her bottom lip, "Well, last I saw him he was still sitting around the campfire."

Jet started heading in the direction, "How long ago?"

Katara was following him, "About a few minutes ago. Jet, why do you need Sokka's sword?"

Jet feels his upper lip curl back in anger, "I need to settle something with a certain firebender."

"Zuko?" Katara questions incredulously, "What did he do?"

The male didn't answer, didn't think it was any of her business in the first place, he hurried his steps and finally stepped out onto the platform the group had their breakfast that morning. Sure enough, he spots Sokka sitting with the blind earthbender and the girl from the prison. Frowning, he starts making his way towards the Water Tribesman, up until Katara steps out in front of him with her arms spread, as if Jet couldn't just walk around her.

"Move out of the way, Katara!"

"Not until you tell me what's going on!"

Their shouts capture everyone's attention, even the strange children he'd seen around the temple, they're all getting to their feet and watching them with cautious expressions, Jet feels himself bristle as he scowls down at the brazen waterbender.

"I don't need to tell you anything."

Katara scowls, but Sokka speaks up, "What's going on?"

Jet looks past Katara and at her brother, "Sokka, give me your sword."

The blind girl is the one to ask, "What do you need his weapon for?"

These guys are too much, they're too nosy, "I just need it, okay?"

"Jet," the prison girl speaks, "I'm sure Sokka will lend you his sword if you just tell us what you need it for." she looks to Sokka, "Isn't that right, Sokka?"

Sokka looks hesitant, but he nods, "If you tell us what you're going to do with it."

They won't budge and he needs that sword, growling, he finally relents, "Zuko's being an idiot and thinks he's doing the right thing by, I don't know, breaking up with me?! He thinks that because Azula is his sister that all I'll see when I look at him is her, then he went on about how he couldn't do that to me because he loves me too much, but if he really did why would he leave?!"

This gets Katara to lower her arms, her expression softening, the others look just as sympathetic, until Sokka speaks, "But – what did you need the sword for?"

"Cause I'm going to beat some sense into him?"

The blind girl murmurs, "You're going to show him you're not helpless."

Jet startles, he's not sure that's what he had in mind, but – it sounds about right. In fact, he doesn't even know why he's taking this whole thing so personally, but the others seem to understand and get why he's feeling the way he is – so, what does that mean for all that Azula had told him? There was no way they could keep this charade up for so long, especially since he was in a supposed coma for several months, or could they? What would they gain? What would Azula gain if she really was the one lying?

"I think Sokka should give him the sword." the prison girl says.

"What?!" Sokka shrieks, turning to the girl, "Suki, I love you, but that's insane!"

"Think about it," Suki says, she's looking at Sokka, "Zuko thinks it's his fault that what happened to Jet, and now that he's got him back, he's afraid that he's going to lose him again. I say we give Jet the sword and let him prove to the Prince that he can still fight."

"I'm with her." the blind girl agrees with a nod, "Besides, this is kind of – sweet."

Sokka groans, "Not you too, Toph! Katara, talk some sense into them!"

Katara wilts, "Well - ?"

Sokka groans once more, "Fine, whatever." the Water Tribesman moves to his stuff and grabs his scabbard, he tosses it to Jet, "Just don't break it or anything."

Jet just nods and pivots on his heel, keeping his stride quick, the others trade glances with each other before they trail after Jet, none of them wanting to miss what was going to happen – finishing their last set, Zuko offers Aang the smallest of smiles.

"You're getting better."

Aang beams, "You think so ~ ?"

"I do." the fire wielder pauses when he spots Jet storming towards them, behind him he can see the rest of the group, Aang sees his hesitation and turns. "Is something wrong?"

"There is." Jet snarls, startling Zuko, "You think I can't handle myself, well I'm going to prove just how wrong you are!" he removes a sword from the scabbard, "Get your weapons!"

Zuko looks between Jet and the rest, "You're just going to let this happen?" they whistle and pretend like they weren't just following Jet, the Fire Prince frowns, "Fine." he turns to the stone he'd set his swords on, brandishing his own two swords, he walks back to his previous spot, "If I win, you're going to have to listen to what I said and stay away."

Jet stands at the ready, "And if I win, you're going to let me do what I want."

Zuko narrows his eyes, "Fine. Anything goes?"

"Anything goes." Jet confirms.

"Very well. Aang, starts us."

"Um - ." Aang looks unsure, "Okay, uh – go?"

Zuko's swords catch fire and Jet flicks an arm out, a single dagger slicing through the air, Zuko redirects the small blade to a nearby column where it remains stuck in the stone, turning, he sees Jet charging him. The metal of the swords clash and clang, small sparks fall to the ground. The taller manages to push him back, losing his footing, Zuko dances out of the way of Jet's blade, but Jet is quick and follows up with a swipe, he manages to knock one of the dao from Zuko's hand, the harsh reverberations of the hit stinging the firebender's hand. Flexing his hand, he sends a burst of fire at Jet, this manages to get some room between them, yet Jet is already crossing the distance, moving his remaining dao to his dominant hand, he meets Jet's strike with a blow of his own – he gets a vague recollection of their training session on the deck of Zuko's old ship, he remembers what Jet had told him, and knows that Jet is going to pull every dirty trick he can, not all of which Zuko as seen, he's only seen a few, but those were with Jet's shuang-gou.

Knowing that he's going to have to get distance between him and Jet once more, he exhales fire, hearing Jet curse as he takes several large steps back. Taking the chance, he hurries to where he'd last seen the other half of his sword, but before he can grab it, something landing between him and his sword is another, so close to cutting him. Instinctively reeling from the threat, he turns in time to get tackled by Jet, right then, he knows he's going to lose the fight.

Jet pins his legs, twists the wrist to the hand still holding the dao, and pins both hands above his head with one hand, he leans forward, a hand wrapped around his neck, Zuko struggles, but he feels a pressure on his neck, it isn't dangerous, but it's a warning.

"Yield."

Zuko feels indignation swell within his chest, he inhales, but Jet stops him from breathing out fire by pressing his own lips to Zuko's, this startles the firebender enough that his fire dies down. When Jet pulls away, they stare at one another.

"Mine."

Zuko licks his lips, "Yours." Jet grins, Zuko sighs, "I yield."

Sitting up and removing himself from Zuko's space, he stands; he can hear the chattering of the others but can't make out what they're saying for all of his attention is on the sweating firebender still lying flat on his back with eyes closed – he may not know who was lying, but he knows what he feels, every time he looks at the fire wielder he feels his insides melt and swell.

"You know," Sokka starts, loud enough for Jet to hear, "I expected that to last longer than it did."

Jet flips him off, Aang speaks, "Well, Zuko had been training me before this started."

Sokka hums, "Guess you're right."

Jet turns his attention back to Zuko, "Well?"

The tan-skinned man hears the firebender sigh, "Well, what?"

"I want you to say it."

"Say what?"

"You know what."

Zuko grits his teeth, "You won, I don't get to tell you what to do."

Jet tries to smirk, but it comes out softer than he'd wanted, "And I want to be with you."

The blush on Zuko's face makes him laugh.

Jet is learning that things aren't what he's been led to believe, but he knows what he wants and Gods above he's going for it!