I'm so poopy for getting so far behind. I'm attempting to get back on track so expect a couple rapid update until I get back into the regular rotation between Unbowed, Unbent and Unbroken. Sorry!

This chapter was kind of all over the place for awhile so hopefully you all enjoy it!

Chapter Rating: T
Chapter Warning: Swearing, Jet being crass...the usual
World: AU where Jet lives and joins the Gaang. They're currently at the Western Air Temple.
Word Count: 894

Four: Bath Time

"I'll kill 'im this time, I swear!"

"Jet, no you-"

"Go ahead and try, you low-born sleaze!"

"Zuko!"

The two boys ignored Katara, who stood between them, trying to calm them with a hand on each of their chests. Sokka was behind Jet, his arms hooked under Jet's to hold him back, while Toph had Zuko around the waist, against which the firebender struggled tirelessly.

"Sparky, come on! He's not worth it!" Toph tried, getting sick and tired of hanging onto the hot-head so tightly.

"You too, Jet! He's not worth it either!" Sokka chimed in.

In reality, that didn't help much, both of the boys' egos flaring at those words.

"Don't we have enough to worry about without you two at each other's' throats?" Aang called from where he paced nervously a couple feet behind Toph, hands grasping the sides of his head in exasperation.

Katara had to shove her hand harshly into Zuko's chest as he lunged forward with renewed vigor, almost breaking free of Toph's tight hold.

A moment later, there was a resounding crack! Everyone feel silent as they turned to focus their attention on Suki, who stood face-to-face with Katara in between the quarreling boys.

Both of their cheeks were red and stinging but both had gone limp and quiet.

"There's no time for a civil war. Go take a bath and cool down," Suki said flatly. Sokka and Toph cautiously let go of their captives but the boys only glared daggers at each other.

Jet was grumbling something and Zuko's fists were clenched as the two stalked off, keeping a distance greater than six feet between them as they walked, entirely like children.

The voices faded behind them but they could hear Katara yelling at Suki, telling her that she couldn't go around slapping people willy nilly but she was quickly drowned out by the uproarious praise of Sokka and Toph. Even Aang had to sheepishly agree with them and that launched another set of lectures from Katara.

By the time the boys reached the bath, they were still simmering in silence.

Zuko was used to people bad-mouthing his father and he knew Jet's history warranted the vicious hatred that he harbored, but when his mother was brought into the mix…

"How the hell did someone even fuck your dad? Your mom must've been crazy to jump into bed with a guy like that."

And then Zuko had punched him in the face and cursed his inbred, peasant heritage. Or something along those lines. Fists had been drawn, fighting stances taken up but in a moment the rest of the Gaang had swooped in to stop them from ripping each other's faces off.

Zuko clenched his teeth remembering it as he slowly stripped off his tunic. His entire body was still taut with fury but as he glanced over his shoulder at Jet, the freedom fighter seemed relaxed, already letting his pants and undergarments fall to the floor. Zuko hastily looked away and then heard a small splash as the lithe, tan body hopped nimbly over the edge of the bath.

Zuko folded his clothes carefully and set them aside before following Jet into the bath, but he sat on the opposite side, as far away from the other as possible. He set about actually bathing in a practical, methodical manner until Jet snorted at him and said, "You're an ass, you know."

Zuko ducked under the water to rinse soap from his hair. When he popped up, he leveled a flat stare at Jet. "Excuse me?"

"You. You're an ass."

"How?"

"Please. You know you are. You punched me in the face," Jet said, rolling his eyes.

"You deserved to be punched in the face. You don't know a thing about my mother so you shouldn't be-"

"Because you don't tell anyone a thing about her," Jet interrupted. Zuko opened his mouth to protest but at Jet's raised eyebrow, he stopped himself. It was the truth after all.

"Okay fair enough. I'm sorry I punched you in the face then," Zuko said, not looking at Jet but instead picking up the bar of soap.

"And I'm sorry I slandered your mom," Jet responded, surprising Zuko with the softness of his voice. A moment of silence passed. "Was she cool, then?"

Zuko was startled by the question but he didn't get upset. Instead, he allowed himself a brief smile. "Yeah. She was. She was beautiful and kind-hearted and she'd do anything for her children. She loved us very dearly," he said. Then, he paused and said what he was assuming Jet was waiting to hear. "I don't think she loved my dad, though."

They were both silent for a long time after that, Jet finally setting about bathing and steadily growing closer to Zuko. Finally, when he was too close, Zuko shoved him away, scowling harshly at him.

Jet simply chuckled and said, "You know what our problem is?" He was obviously referring to the fact that they fought nearly once a day, but Zuko thought that was fairly obvious. They both had flaring tempers about as long as the nail of his little finger.

Zuko narrowed his eyes. "What?" he deadpanned.

"Sexual tension."

Zuko splashed water in Jet's cackling face, hoping to blind the boy so he couldn't see the growing blush on Zuko's face.