Work Text:
Breathe
It began as most things often do, which means it was hardly noticeable at first. The lingering gazes, longer touches. Nothing at all. The group of thrown-together friends that saved the world alongside the Avatar saw each other less frequently as they grew older and carved their own lives. Getting them together in the same place had become something of a treasured rarity.
When it did occur, it was more often than not for the big things. Katara’s eventual wedding to someone other than the Avatar.
“You will find what you’re looking for, Katara. Trust me.” Aang had told her at the end of their childhood relationship. “And what about you, Aang?” Katara asked, tears streaming down her face as she watched him inch closer and closer to the edge of the cliff they were standing on. Aang laughed, “Don’t worry about me. As the Avatar, I value my independence. And there isn’t someone for everyone you know? Only for people like you. This isn’t the last we’ve seen of each other. Take care of yourself in the meantime.” With that, he brushed the tear streak from her face and free-fell until he flew. She watched him until he was out of sight. A lone dot in the sky. “You’re wrong, Aang. Love is for you. I just hope I get to see it swallow you whole.”
Or on the night celebrating Toph’s climb to success in the Earth Kingdom, forging a career through her metal bending gifts.
“Thanks for coming, everyone. Especially you, TwinkleToes. And you too, Hot Stuff.” She said, singling out Aang and Zuko respectively as the group was seated sequestered from the larger gathering on a beach. The sand beneath Toph’s feet had become a treat as she appreciated different expressions of the Earth. She felt everyone’s vibrations still, and it didn’t go unnoticed that Aang consistently drew near to someone in particular.
Or during Sokka’s own promotion to Chief in the Southern Water Tribe.
“Great to have the whole gang here again!...Where are Zuko and Aang?” Sokka asked of the group, which had grown to include Mai and Ty Lee. “I don’t know but can we get inside? I don’t know how you stand this cold most of the year.” Mai said. Katara looked and pointed them out quietly after they’d all gone inside the Hall, “There they are.” They all watched them out the window. Aang and Zuko weren’t doing anything particularly out of the ordinary. Just standing by themselves, talking as the temperature continued to drop as the snow began to fall as it grew darker around them outside.
As the years went by, Aang and Zuko found closeness with each other. Zuko continued his progress on restoring the honor to the Fire Nation amongst its peers in the world. Aang devoted his time equally amongst the Earth Kingdom, the Water Tribes, the Air Temples, and the Fire Nation. Whenever he found himself with the time that was his own, it became very clear that he would nearly always spend it in the Fire Nation. Particularly in the company of the new Fire Lord.
The letters never wavered amongst the group between these visits, and they all managed to keep up with everyone’s day-to-day lives amidst their own. The stories were a welcome reprieve. As they grew older and now into their twenties, there was mounting pressure on Zuko to select a wife. The Fire Nation court had begun throwing parties inviting not just noblewomen of the fire nation, but had expanded to include a large number of eligible young women across the four countries. It was not uncommon for Zuko to send letters to Toph and Sokka, and even the now married Katara practically begging them to save him.
Ty Lee and Mai both wrote to them that on one such occasion at one of these gatherings on a nice evening in the fall, Zuko was forced to be introduced by politicians invested in the empire’s future lineage to young girls whose names he’d already forgotten. Zuko was keenly aware of the fact that, other than Mai and Ty Lee, he had none of his friends at this one and was almost openly unhappy. That is until midway through the festivities, Avatar Aang swooped down on the balcony. Excusing himself immediately, Zuko greeted his long-time friend, accidentally knocking him to the ground as the leaves blew around them. Everyone was forced to make the Avatar the focus as his visits were something to be revered. Aang could tell this party was making his friend uncomfortable and was aware of the purpose of the function based on a few of the letters Zuko sent to him. Aang publicly invited Zuko to join him for a sparring session at that very moment. As Zuko was about to accept without a second thought, he was interrupted by the most adamant of his advisors that he select a wife in a timely manner that Zuko must at least complete one dance out of respect for the effort of the party at hand. Zuko at first looked like he was about to say something that might put them down a path that would not reflect well on anyone, but Aang got there first. “You are right, how thoughtless of me.” The ambassadors and the noble clans looked smug, but then were quite shocked when Aang, turning back to Zuko, continued, “My Lord, would you do me the honor of joining me in a dance?” Mai and Ty Lee both included in their letters how stunned everyone was in that moment, noting how Zuko’s face briefly flushed before he responded. They also noted how no one had ever heard Zuko laugh the way he had when he and Aang fell when Aang arrived. “I will, but you are quite mistaken. The honor is mine, Avatar.” After the dance ended, Aang took Zuko by the hand and flew them off the balcony and out of sight.
Sokka’s response was “Alright, that’s one way to break up the party!” Toph’s was similar, “Alright, TwinkleToes has style!” Katara was the only one silent on the matter.
Not long after, rumors had begun to spread quickly throughout the fire nation, and the other nations soon followed. Katara, Sokka, and Toph even heard from others about the young Fire Lord who all but refuses to marry and the nomadic young Avatar who occupied much of his free time. It was all well and good when they were teenage boys. But now, they were men. And men have needs. Very few believed that either man was remaining chaste simply for the love of duty.
For the first time since his imprisonment, previous Fire Lord Ozai requested to speak with his son. Zuko approached the cell warily as Ozai stood upon his arrival. “You wished to see me?”
Ozai was straight to the point, though given his situation, that is not surprising. “Word has reached my ears from your guards here that you are refusing to select a wife.” Zuko sighed, he didn’t know what to expect from this conversation, but this hadn’t been it. “And what concern is that of yours? If I were you, mine would only be these bars and what led me to be behind them.”
“Hear me plainly, boy, when I tell you that I did not think it possible to be more disgusted with how you’ve turned out. Yet here we are. And for me to think that you would lay with that filthy peasant who blasphemously took my fire from me is something I will not do.”
“You will not speak of him that way again,” Zuko said to his father calmly.
“Contradict it. Tell me these are falsehoods. Tell me you are a man.” Ozai nearly begged.
Zuko was annoyed with himself. His father is still able to inflict feelings of guilt and shame upon him from inside his prison. “I am a man. I did not lay with the Avatar.” He felt like he was betraying Aang. He didn’t want to feel that way again.
Ozai relaxed for a moment, thinking at first there may be hope. He then frowned after turning the words over in his head. “You cannot fool me. If you have not known him yet, it is not because you don’t wish for it. You are a disgrace.”
“Goodbye, Father.” Zuko turned to make his leave and to tell the guards sent away to return to their posts. He left before the first tear could fall from either of his eyes.
Visits in smaller companies were much more easily achieved between the friends. It was true Aang spent a good deal of his time with Zuko, however, that is not to say he neglected to see his first two friends. Sokka ran to Aang with the same excitement he had when they were kids, though the excitement today looked considerably less animated. “Aang, how are ya, Buddy?! Great to see ya.”
After they’d settled down on Appa to give Sokka the airtime that he’d been missing, Sokka got serious for a minute as they were flying through the air at a tranquil pace. “So Aang, how are things with you and Zuko?”
Aang slapped his knee and groaned, “Not you too. I can’t go anywhere anymore without listening to all the gossip.”
“I’m not trying to get the story on ya. I’m just trying to hear it straight from my friend.” Sokka said.
Aang sighed, “Honestly there’s nothing to tell. I’ve always visited Zuko, even as a kid. You know that.”
“I know, Aang. But you aren’t kids anymore, and I know you are a monk but I also know you dated my sister so you aren’t dead.”
Aang laughed a little at that. He turned the conversation around, “What about you? I never see anyone on your arm.”
Sokka laughed too. “Believe me, I have my own transgressions. It’s just with you, I think that you don’t have them but would like to. With someone special.”
“And you think that someone special is Zuko.” Aang finished.
Turning Appa back around towards the direction of the Southern Tribe Hall, Sokka said, “Not that I’m complaining that you aren’t boning my sister, I’m just trying to see how you go from her to the guy who was constantly chasing you.”
“Zuko is a lot more than that and you know it.” Aang said in Zuko’s defense.
“Oh, he definitely has a lot going for him, don't get me wrong. I just think it’s funny that, in a way, he never has stopped chasing you.” Sokka said as they landed.
Aang followed Sokka in as they talked about other things for the rest of his stay.
Meanwhile, Zuko took his own trip to Ba Sing Se. He traveled there, every now and then, to sink the wisest counsel he knew. As well as the best tea.
“What brings my favorite nephew to my humble tea shop today, hmm?” Uncle Iroh asked Zuko as they sat down at a table where their conversation would not be heard.
“Uncle. It is good to see you. I’ve missed you.” Zuko said smiling.
“Out with it, Prince Zuko-excuse me, Fire Lord Zuko. What’s troubling you?” Iroh wisely asked.
Looking into his tea glass, Zuko said, “I’m not sure if...I don’t know if you might have heard some things about me.”
“Let me see now. I have heard that you are doing a fantastic job with the teachings of children about how the Fire Nation should conduct itself in its relationship with those of other nations. I have heard that you have helped restore damages here in the Earth Kingdom, the Tribes, and the Temples. I could not be more proud.” Iroh said drinking his tea.
“Yes, Uncle. But now, they want me to choose a bride, and raise a family. And they are saying things about my friendship with Aang. It’s too much sometimes.” Zuko said, ashamed at how weak he thought he sounded.
Iroh merely closed his eyes and breathed meditatively, as Zuko continued, “I saw my father. He requested to see me. So that he could tell me that I was a disgrace if I wanted to lay with the Avatar and that I was no man.”
“I am glad you came to me, Zuko,” Iroh said with an even tone. “I am glad I can tell you that I always thought you were doing the right thing in waiting to marry. Those politicians care nothing for your happiness, and you must choose your own path.”
Zuko carefully poured more tea into their cups as Iroh continued speaking. “As for the Avatar, you are not only the first Fire Lord in over 100 years to have any kind of relationship with the Avatar, but you have him in your arms. I can think of no higher honor.”
Zuko closed his eyes, fighting back tears, and moved to hug his uncle. “My boy, I am so very proud of you. It may not always be easy, but you must follow the path your heart knows to be right for you regardless of what others may think or say. As for me, I could think of no one more worthy to own your heart. And to be the love of the Avatar is not for the faint of heart. I know why he chose you, Zuko, and he chose well.”
Zuko did not hold back anymore and began openly sobbing. He knew in his heart how he felt now. He could say the words. His uncle always made sure he could see his own strength and worth. After he finished and composed himself, he said, “Thank you so much, Uncle. I know what I must do.”
The Sun was nearly setting the next time Aang arrived at Zuko’s palace, finding him alone in the gardens. After years of burning, he found peace in growing things. Another lesson he learned from Iroh. Aang glided down as Appa continued flying towards the grounds. He was so light on his feet that others would likely have been taken by surprise. Zuko greeted him without turning. “Hello, Aang.”
“Zuko,” Aang noted that Zuko was wearing everyday clothing as Zuko stood to turn to him. He always found him more attractive dressed down.
Zuko began, assuming the role of host as always, “I’m glad you’ve come. Will you be staying long this time?”
Aang relaxed a bit, this was familiar. “I uh - I’m not sure exactly. That is I mean I’d like to. If you’ll have me.” Aang said, face flushing.
“I’ll always have you, Aang. As long as you’ll have me.” Zuko said, nearing him slightly. Aang reciprocated, closing the rest of the distance.
Zuko looked at Aang. Gone was the boy he once knew ten years prior. In his place stood a man with sculpted abs, a developed chest, firm arms and hands, and with a deeper voice. He no longer denied what he desired. His own face flushed. “Aang. I feel like I haven’t been honest with you. And I’d like to be.”
Zuko felt Aang’s hands come up and grip both his biceps, “Zuko, we’ve always been honest with each other. You can tell me anything.”
Emboldened by the touch, Zuko gripped Aang’s waist and looked into his eyes and told as well as listened to the truth.”
Just breathe. In. Out.
“I love you.”