Zuko woke with the sun the next morning and smiled when he found Aang asleep on his chest. Aang was so adorable. Zuko didn't want to wake Aang so he lay there, watching him sleep and thinking about their past.
Zuko and Aang had spent little time together after the kiss; neither was willing to give up or give in to the other- Zuko because of his pride and Aang because of his duties as the Avatar. They had agreed the kiss meant nothing, that it was just hormones and lack of personal space, lust and nothing else. Zuko had quickly left Aang after the agreement and went back to his uncle.
Zuko had continued to follow the Avatar. The brief touches they had shared while fighting had felt like flames warming him right to his heart. He had wanted to believe he was still trying to earn his father's approval but he knew he could never do that-Avatar or no Avatar. He had tried convincing himself that he wouldn't let his sister win and that he wanted to prove his father wrong, show him that he wasn't a screw up, but his dreams proved that none of this was true.
His usual dreams of becoming Fire Lord had been replaced by dreams of the Avatar.
"Never give up, Zuko. Keep chasing me." The Avatar smiled before gently brushing his lips against Zuko's. Zuko shut his eyes at his touch and leaned forward into the kiss but was met by air. His eyes snapped open and he saw the Avatar was just out of his reach, laughing and smiling.
"Never give up, Zuko. Never stop chasing me."
Zuko reached out for the Avatar but each time he leaned in to kiss him he would disappear and reappear out of his reach.
His dream hadn't been too far from reality. Each time he had been close to capturing the Avatar he had escaped. The dream had plagued Zuko's sleep three or four times a week. Other nights his dreams had been him hugging the Avatar or laughing with him or watching him sleep in his arms. His subconscious had often replayed their kiss in the alley.
The avatar had become all that he dreamt of but no dream compared to the feel of the Avatar's lips moving with his or his fingers knotted in his hair.
Zuko had known he wouldn't last long and that he would give up and he did.
And he was happy that he did.
Zuko smiled at the boy curled up on his chest. "You're mine now," he whispered.