Work Text:
It all started one day when Jet brushed his hair back. Well, maybe it started before then, but that’s when he realized.
Maybe he was into guys.
He’d only meant it as platonic affection, he did it all the time with the Freedom Fighters. They were just touch-starved kids, after all. He didn’t think it would be any different touching Zuko.
But it was different.
Zuko’s hair had been so soft, he’d wanted to bury his fingers in it and draw him closer. Wanted to run his hands through it forever.
And then when their eyes met it had felt like lightning, Jet had almost swore that it must have been some fire bender thing, that was the only excuse for the feeling of fire in his veins right?
But then why was his heart beating so fast, and his cheeks flushing with heat? That only happened when—oh.
Oh.
And that was when Jet had realized that maybe he was bi, because Zuko was extremely attractive and the urge to kiss him was great.
That was the day it started, and then Jet simply couldn’t stop thinking about him. The Fire Nation Prince, the one he thought he’d hate forever.
But well, when Zuko confessed who he was as a disgraced prince banished for trying to do the right thing, who had been burned and sent away as a child…well, Jet couldn’t stay angry with him. Not now that he knew his story, that he understood him. The Fire Nation had hurt Zuko as well.
So they’d grown closer over time, sparring and laughing together, running across the rooftops of Ba Sing Se, or sitting in comfortable silence with a hot cup of Uncle’s tea after closing hours. They slowly adjusted to their new lives as refugees in the lower ring, where the past could stay in the past.
It had taken some time, but now Jet would trust Zuko with his own life. In a way, Zuko was one of his closest friends now, as close as the other Freedom Fighters.
And now he wondered if…he was maybe even closer than that.
“Would you stop with the sighing over there, you love sick wolf-pup?”
Jet turned to glare at Smellerbee. “I am not love sick!”
Even Longshot rolled his eyes at that.
Bee sighed, “Just go ask him out, dude’s obviously dying to get with you. You pining idiots.”
“Tch. Shuddup.” Jet had no good comeback, and with their pitying looks he quickly left their shared apartment.
He strolled towards the Jasmine Dragon, hands in his pockets as he chewed on a wheat stalk nervously. Were those idiots saying the truth? Maybe…maybe Zuko was interested? In the same way that he was?
He just didn’t know. That day, when he had brushed his hair aside, Zuko had gasped and blushed too, but that didn’t mean much. He was probably just not used to people touching his face—not with that scar now.
Jet groaned and kicked at the dirt. He had no idea how to read if guys were interested. They didn’t exactly twirl their hair and giggle and cling to your arm the way girls did. And Zuko was like a stone statue at times! Jet didn’t even know what he was thinking or feeling half the time.
He stood outside the tea shop, leaning against the brick before he went inside to face his crush. He spun a pocket knife between his fingers nervously. Should he ask him out? Would it ruin everything they had built after all this time?
And who was he kidding—Zuko was a prince. Why in the world would he go for some orphan thug that did crime for a living—
“Hey.” Zuko was suddenly in front of him. “You okay?”
Jet almost dropped his knife. Super smooth.
He pocketed the knife, shoving a smirk on his face. “‘Course I am. You workin’?”
Zuko raised a disbelieving eyebrow at him before letting it go. “Uncle let me off. He saw you walk by and told me to scram.”
Jet felt his cheeks warm and hope rose in his chest. So he had the prince all to himself. Now was the time to ask!
“Wanna—uh—do something?”
Oh spirits, where did all his charm go???
Zuko snorted. “Yeah, dumbass. Let’s go do something.”
Jet tried not to read into that.
They walked around, buying food to snack on and talking about nothing in particular. They made plans to raid the upper ring later that night. All normal things.
All completely not date-like, romantic things.
Jet tried not to pout, but he didn’t know what to do to subtly show his interest—or gauge Zuko’s.
“Dude, what is up with you today?” Zuko groaned, exasperated with Jet’s introspection.
He swallowed. Maybe it was now or never.
So Jet steeled his resolve and tried to gather all the suaveness that he used to have an abundance of. He gripped one of Zuko’s hands, large and pale and calloused. “Do you want…to go stargazing with me?”
Zuko looked down at their connected hands for a moment before meeting Jet’s gaze. Jet felt himself hold his breath…
“Uh, sure? Why are you holding my hand?”
Jet felt himself deflate. If only he were an earth bender. So he could bury himself alive at this exact moment.
Well, he supposed it answered his question. Zuko wasn’t interested.
And why would he be?
Jet sighed and dropped the prince’s hand. “Ah, never mind. I gotta go meet Bee and Shot. See ya later tonight.”
…
Jet stared up at the stars, chewing on his wheat once again. He was a stupid, stupid fool.
He heard a clang as Zuko landed messily next to him on the rooftop—lacking his usual grace. Jet raised an eyebrow at him.
Zuko’s chest was heaving as if he had run here full speed. “Wait—just—a second.”
Jet returned his gaze to the sky, trying to pretend he wasn’t longing for the boy right next to him who didn’t like him back.
“Were you—was that—”
Once again Jet looked over at Zuko. He looked like he was having a crisis. “Dude, what’s up with you? Dai Li chasing you or something?”
“Were you asking me out?!”
Jet felt his eyes widen as a blush crept up his neck. He looked away and crossed his arms. “Tch.”
Zuko kept staring at him expectantly, waiting for a real answer. Jet sat up angrily. “Look, man, just drop it.”
“No. Were you asking me out or not?”
Jet frowned, hands moving to toy with his pocket knife. He didn’t want to have this conversation. He didn’t want to be let down gently or laughed at or whatever it was Zuko would do. Jet hadn’t been rejected like this before, he didn’t know how to handle it.
When he said nothing, Zuko put his hand over Jet’s nervous-ticking ones. He leaned down to peek up at Jet’s face. “Because if you were, then I would have still said yes but, it would be nice to actually know what I was agreeing to.”
Jet glanced up quickly, his eyes widening. He had to clear his throat, “R-really?”
Zuko gave him a small smile. “Yeah. Really.”
So he was interested! Jet stared at the other man for a moment, not sure what to do now. He hadn’t actually thought he’d get this far. Should they…kiss? Or was that too soon? It seemed all his dating experience was failing him now. Why was it any different with a guy?
“Well, I think we’ve got a date to go on, don’t we?” Zuko grinned at him, holding out his hand.
Jet took it, but not without rolling his eyes. “A raid is not our first date. We’re going on a real one tomorrow.”
…
Jet was taking too long to get ready. He checked his teeth one more time in the cracked mirror in the corner of his room. Spirits, he was a mess.
“Jeeetttt~~! Your boyfriend is here!”
He felt his face practically steam as he flew out of his room, almost plowing over Smellerbee and Longshot on the way.
He forgot to correct Smellerbee—or perhaps he hoped she was right.
Zuko stood at the doorway, definitely smirking at how flustered Jet appeared. Jet narrowed his eyes before shooing him outside. Bee and Shot made obnoxious kissy noises and Jet made sure to flip them off before he stepped out.
“Well good morning, handsome.” Zuko smiled teasingly.
Jet flushed, jaw dropping when Zuko gripped his hand and kissed it. He really was a prince. “Y-yeah. Mornin’ to you, too.”
His heart was beating too loudly for him to think clearly, so that was the best he came up with. He tried to change the subject, almost unable to bear the intense gaze Zuko was giving him.
“So what do you wanna do?” Jet shoved his hands in his pockets. Maybe he should have actually planned something; it would be their first real date.
Zuko picked up a basket from beside the door. “I brought some food. I thought we could venture outside and find a nice clearing, maybe spar a bit or something.”
He absently noticed the dual swords on Zuko’s back, glad he had brought his weapons as well. Jet nodded, that sounded fun to him. “Sure. If there’s any grass in this spirits-forsaken land.”
His golden eyes twinkled mischievously. “I found a place. Let’s go.”
…
After their meal, lovingly packed by Uncle, Zuko had indeed challenged him to a duel.
Jet happily obliged, feeling much more in his element wielding his hooks than wondering if he should hold Zuko’s hand.
Zuko laughed suddenly as their weapons clanged together. “You know, I always joke that my two swords represent my bisexuality. I feel like I should have known you were the same.”
The joke made Jet frown though, and he lowered his hooks, staring at them. “I…I didn’t realize I liked guys until…you.”
Zuko froze, “Oh. That…oh, Agni. You’re probably so confused. I—Spirits, am I being pushy, Jet? You can take all the time you need to—”
Jet snorted and shook his head. “How would you be being pushy? You didn’t even realize I was trying to ask you out.”
“Yeah, but—”
“If anything I’m being an awkward mess. I’ve just never done this before with another guy. I don’t know if I’m doing it right.” Jet frowned and looked at the ground.
“It’s okay. I know you need to take things slowly and figure out your feelings. I don’t mind waiting.”
“Well I don’t want to wait anymore!” Jet surprised himself with the outburst, but he continued. “I like you, a lot. And I—I want those things with you. Dates like this, and kisses, and just being with you every day—”
Zuko was smiling softly at him. “I want those things too, but there’s really no rush—”
Jet threw his hooks on the ground, marching up to him and gripping his shirt. He pulled Zuko into a kiss, swallowing his gasp.
The kiss was passionate as they melted into each other, pulling each other closer and touching everywhere. Jet’s hands threaded through Zuko’s soft hair—the action that had started this all.
Kissing a man was different. Zuko wasn’t as soft and supple—no, he was a man. Full of muscle and hardness, he was sturdy and safe. Jet rather enjoyed standing in his arms.
Zuko hummed before softly pulling away, stroking Jet’s jaw. Jet met his gaze, resting their foreheads together.
“I don’t need more time to know I want this,” Jet whispered.
“I guess we’re doing this then.” Zuko grinned.
Jet smirked against his warm lips. “Lucky you, huh?”
“Yeah,” Zuko agreed genuinely and leaned in for another kiss. “Lucky me.”