Chapter Text
Life was unpredictable, just when you thought you had it figured out, something happened that completely flipped your world upside down. Growing up during a war for starters, nothing was ever certain. Just like when you’re born, you never knew what the future holds. Young pups never knew their fate, would they be an alpha? A beta? God forbid an omega. It wasn’t that Omega’s were bad, they were actually incredibly important. But the way society and the fire nation viewed them? They were lower than low. It wasn’t a pretty sight to see.
Katara and her brother Sokka had been lucky, presenting as beta’s. Toph may have been small, but she was an alpha through and through. Suki, the fierce Kyoshi warrior and Sokka’s beloved mate, was an Alpha. Despite the fact that Zuko was an alpha, he was the runt according to the fire nation's royal family. As for Aang? Aang was an omega, he wasn’t quite as ‘motherly’ as most omega’s appeared to be, like even some of the beta’s were. But he was still an Omega through and through. Gentle features, gentle nature and all.
“I think it’s that time.” Sokka said thoughtfully.
Nobody had seen Aang that day, they were in the earth kingdom, enjoying some downtime and some fantastic tea at the Jasmine Dragon.
Suki arched her brow at her beta. Sometimes Sokka put himself on thin ice when it came to talking about girls or omegas. But with a firm guiding hand from his mate, he was learning.
“Well, do you have any idea where he would be then?” Sokka tilted his head.
Katara thought for a long moment as she sipped her tea. “Maybe he’s just hanging around Appa and Momo?”
Iroh brought a warm kettle of tea over to their table.
“Wherever he may be, I'm sure he’s fine.” Toph said as she took a bite of food.
“Has anyone seen Zuko?” Sokka asked.
“Yeah, I saw him.” Toph said.
“Oh? Wh- Wait a minute.” Sokka eyed Toph. “Very funny.”
“You just set yourself up for these things.” Toph laughed.
Katara furrowed her brow in thought, she hadn’t seen Zuko since the previous night at the Jasmine Dragon.The beta hoped that Zuko and Aang were alright.
Meanwhile, back at the apartment that Iroh and Zuko had in the earth kingdom, a certain Omega and Alpha were trying to process what had happened the night before and later that morning and maybe just a few minutes ago.
Aang was finally able to catch his breath, holding a sheet to his chest as he focused on his breathing, trying to calm that intensely beating heart of his. Aang was used to his heats sneaking up on him from time to time, he usually ended up hiding out until it was over.
“Do you feel any better?” Zuko asked.
That tone was so soft, so different from the usual alpha Zuko, but Aang liked it and he liked it more when it was directed at him.
“So much better.” Aang said honestly.
Heats were difficult, young omega’s going through heats alone, it was torture. Aang never had help with a heat before, though he and Zuko had tip toed around each other just before a heat would strike. Sometimes Zuko would wait, he’d offer to get Aang whatever he may want or need, but they never crossed that line.
“Good.” Zuko exhaled slowly.
Something was different about Aang, he changed somehow and Zuko couldn’t place a finger on it. He knew Aang was an omega, which was part of why it was easy for Zuko to track him down, well before he actually joined them.
Aang had always done everything he could to hide his heats and if he could help it, hide the fact he was an omega all together. It was enough being the avatar with the world in a crisis. The last thing Aang needed was more attention, especially from the alphas.
Most of Aangs attention was put on bending and mastering every element, a lot of the time Aang missed the signs of an inevitable heat, due to the way he threw himself into training. Aang would train right up until he physically couldn't. The avatar was certainly a strong omega.
It happened once with Zuko, Aang was learning firebending, Zuko was showing him the basics. Aang had to see the movements and then try them himself before he could get them down.
"Like this?" Aang asked
Zuko watched him for a moment. "You're close."
Zuko didn't even think about it, he just stepped into Aang's space and helped him correct his stance.
Aang immediately blushed, Zuko was always warm to the touch, being a firebender and all. But this was different.
"Now try." Zuko stepped back.
Aang swallowed and nodded, unable to find his voice, he went through the movements, Zuko noted the color in Aangs cheeks and wondered if maybe it was getting too warm out for him.
"Do you want to take a break? Get some water?"
Aang shook his head. "I wanna keep going."
Zuko eyed him for a moment before nodding, he corrected his form again, causing Aang to blush again.
Aang could feel the heat rising within himself, but he tried to ignore it, maybe just maybe it was because they were bending fire. Fire was hot..
Zuko folded his arms as he looked at Aang. "Try it."
Aang seemed distracted. "What?"
"I said try it."
"Oh, right. Okay." Aang shook his head working through the movements.
You know what else was hot? Sifu hotman was hot. Grey hues shifted toward the alpha, he knew Zuko was an alpha and that was long before he got close to him, back when Zuko was still hunting him, Aang knew. Zuko had that alpha energy.
"Focus." Zuko said.
Aang corrected his own stance. "I'm trying to." He muttered.
"Try adding a little fire to it, this isn't yoga practice." Zuko tilted his head.
Aang huffed, stupid alpha. Stupid distractions.
Aang added a little fire to the motions, he was still hesitant to give it too much.
"You have to trust yourself with that fire." Zuko said. "You're too timid."
Aang glanced toward Zuko again. "I'm not ready to.."
"You're gonna have to try it at some point."
Zuko noted how distracted Aang seemed to be, he was trying, sure. But his mind was obviously elsewhere.
Once Aangs flame went out, Zuko stepped closer, correcting Aangs form again. Aang flushed, he sighed.
"C'mon Aang, you normally get the stance down easily.."
Zuko was behind him now and his hands were on Aangs hips, all in stance correcting - nothing else.-
The blush on Aangs cheeks only got darker. Zuko's touch felt good, Zuko smelled good.
Zuko smelled like fire, it reminded Aang of the campfires they often huddled around, a nice smoldering fire. A campfire in the fall.
Aang's scent was a mixture of fresh air, just after a rainstorm in the fall, with a hint of fire that toasted marshmallows.
Zuko had plenty of time to put names to the scent he got from Aang and if he were honest, Aang’s scent drew him in like no other.
As hard as Aang tried he was losing the battle to his body, mother nature was a force.
Zuko's hands gripped Aangs hips as he shifted Aangs hips to help him get a better stance.
Aang pushed back against Zuko, taking Zuko by surprise. Zuko pushed Aangs hips forward, Aang pushed back. This time it wasn't just his hips.
Aangs back was to Zuko's chest, Aang turned his head, his nose brushing against Zukos neck.
"You smell really good Zu Zu." Aang said softly.
Zuko got it almost right away, it was a heat that was distracting Aang. With a soft sigh Zuko gently pushed the Omega off of him.
"Aang, I think we need to stop for the day."
Aang pouted, turning to look up at Zuko. The other had a few inches on him still, despite Aangs growth spurts.
"I don't want to."
Aang moved right back into Zukos space, his fingers curling into the fabric of Zukos top.
"Why do we keep acting like its not gonna happen?" Aang asked. " You want it to and I want it to.." Aang buried his face in the crook of Zukos neck, inhaling that scent. "Zu.."
"Aang.."Zuko, bless his heart, did everything he could to keep the omega at bay. Aang wasn't fully taken by the heat yet, so part of what he was saying must have had some truth to it.
"C'mon. Why won't you just do it?" Aang was clinging to him, more so than usual.
"Because." Zuko sighed.
Grey hues locked with Amber ones and Zuko couldn't think of a good reason.
"We just..can't yet.."
Aang lit up hearing that last word "yet." He repeated.
"There's just too much going on." Zuko said lamely.
Sokka and Suki had mated and that was in the midst of everything. Zuko had his reasons for wanting to wait.
"C'mon Zu, pleasee"
"No."
"Please."
"I said no, omega."
Aang shivered at that, Zuko unintentionally added a bit of the alpha tone into it.
"But.." Aang pouted.
Zuko gave him a look, and Aang looked like a kick puppy. But he sighed and backed down. Alpha's orders and all.
"Soon?" Aang asked hopefully.
Zuko was quiet for a moment.
"Soon, Spider monkey. soon."
Soon came after they won the war, when Zuko took the throne and Aang wasn't some goofy kid, instead he was an equally goofy, fully realized avatar. Most importantly, he wasn't a kid anymore.
The only line they had crossed was in the sudden aftermath of said war, everyone was exhausted and more than bruised up.
Suki and Sokka recuperated back on Kyoshi Island.
Katara hadn't had much time to rest, after everything, she was busy making her rounds, trying to heal as many people as she could. Starting with Aang and Zuko. Once her boys were able to take care of themselves, she felt better about going off to help others in need.
Toph stuck around to make sure twinkle toes and lord Zuko were alright, she was very much like their guard.
During that time Aang managed to slip into Zuko's room more than once, he never really asked for anything. Aang just wanted to be close to him.
Whilst recovering from everything, at some point Zuko may have bitten Aang, it was the bite. The one that made Aang officially Zukos mate. They hadn't gone much further than that, so the job was only half done.
"Told you it was gonna happen." Aang said as he rolled onto his side to look down at Zuko.
Zuko carded his fingers through his messy hair and looked up at Aang.
"Like I said.." Zuko reached up.
"Soon, spider monkey."
With that Aang was pulled down into a kiss, he wasn't just kissing fire lord Zuko, he was kissing his mate.
"Love you, turtle duck." Aang whispered against Zukos lips.
Turns out the best things were worth waiting for.