Chapter 5 – As Love Carries You

Weeks and weeks had passed in the snowflakes, cold winds and far away voices . . .

"It's not about that guy that got killed, I barely knew him." Aang thought.
"It's about the fact that Zuko and I can't be together. It's too dangerous."

"I just don't understand", Zuko thought for what felt like the millionth time.
"I thought he knew what he was getting into! Why would he suddenly act like I don't exist?"

"But I wonder how it would matter this much…"

"We did kiss, after all."

Bum-dum. Bum-dum.

The pink blossoms of May in a bush on the side of the street were suddenly shaken when Aang passed by, running. Zuko too was running; he had the desperate hope that Aang had understood what he just did understand, and all was passing by so quickly around him as he arrived panting to the small park where he hoped Aang was sitting, like in the first days. But he wasn't. Zuko cursed aloud at his always hoping even when there was no hope left. He sat, and a small leaf fell on the bench next to him. Then everything came back. All the feelings he'd had the day he kissed Aang, everything, everything came over him and he cried, silently.

Aang arrived as suddenly as Zuko had, only to see him on the bench, sobbing with his legs to his chest. Zuko hadn't seen him and Aang approached slowly. He looked away, ashamed of causing so much pain to his friend – friend? Aang chuckled. He slowly made his way towards Zuko, and when the blue-eyed boy heard Aang and looked up at him, Aang kissed his lips. Zuko loved the feeling but retreated back immediately, then saw Aang looking at him. "I'm sorry, Zuko… I'm so sorry for hurting you." Then Aang got closer to Zuko and slowly put his arms around him, and held him tight. Really tight. It took time, yes, much time for Zuko to finally calm down, and when he did, he stopped crying and held Aang, slowly moving back and forth. He was happy.

"What'll happen now?" Zuko said. "Do we… are we… together?"
"I think we are" Aang responded and he smiled, his eyes the greenest green ever and shining with tiny lights.

Spring blossoms were already growing.

Aang and Zuko were from opposite gangs.

The End