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“Zuko, can I talk to you for a minute..”
“Of course spider monkey, what's on your mind?” Zuko asked as he pushed himself away from his desk.
Aang bit his lower lip in thought as he considered what he wanted to say. Fingers nervously fidgeting with a piece of his airbender attire. Zuko’s gaze fell to the airbenders hands for a moment before standing and taking said hands.
“Love?”
“‘M sorry, it’s just so out of the blue.. It feels weird to be feeling the way I’m feeling, when it’s not something that just happened or something I just found out..” Aang squeezed Zuko’s hands.
“You’re going to have to tell me what you’re talking about, Love, I want to help you..” Zuko said softly.
“Right, okay..” Aang took a deep breath. “I got this sudden overwhelming feeling of sadness.” Aang explained. “And then I started thinking about them..” the airbender glanced toward his stomach.
Aang was around six months pregnant with his and Zuko’s pup, it was good news and news the couple welcomed. Especially Aang who had been more than excited about it, it was potentially the start of a new airbending generation.
Zuko’s gaze followed Aang’s for a moment, he gently squeezed the Omega's hands. “And then?” Zuko asked.
“I thought about my people.” Aang said quietly, gray hues lifting to meet Zuko’s amber hues.
Zuko met said gaze and frowned, he would do anything if it meant Aang didn’t have to feel that kind of pain. It was by no means Zuko’s fault, what happened to Aang’s people had happened long before Zuko was born. It didn’t stop Zuko from feeling awful, from feeling his Omega’s pain and it didn’t stop him from working harder every day to make sure Aang knew Zuko cared about him and his people’s traditions. If it was important to Aang, it was important to Zuko.
“It’s okay, to think about them and to talk about them.” Zuko said softly. “I know it’s hard and I know it can be painful.” Zuko reached up to cup Aang’s cheek gently. “You’re right, it happened a long time ago..” Zuko searched his gaze. “Time heals, but there is no time limit on how long it takes. What you’re feeling is valid. Your pain is valid.” Zuko said softly.
Aang glanced down teary eyed, it was hard to keep his composure, more so lately with all the hormones running through his body. Zuko gently wiped away the tears that fell.
“Hey, hey, Aang..” Zuko began. “I know none of this has been easy for you, I know and I wish I could take it all away.. I wish you didn’t have to feel all of this hurt.” Zuko cupped his other cheek then, gently wiping away the tears. “Listen to me, you’ve been so strong through it all and I know you feel like you have to be strong, but you don’t have to put on a brave face for me. I’ve got you.. Always....” Zuko assured him. “C’mere love..”
Zuko gently pulled Aang into a hug, Aang wrapped his arms tightly around Zuko and allowed himself to sob, he hid his face against the crook of Zuko’s neck. Zuko held him close and rubbed his back soothingly.
No other words were needed, right now this is what Aang needed, he needed a safe space to let go, a place without judgment. Zuko simply held him close, rubbing his back and whispering soft reassuring words to his mate.
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Later that evening after dinner and after any last minute duties for the fire lord or the Avatar, Aang was in their room, one of Zuko’s cozy night shirts was on him with a pair of shorts. Aang was lying in bed with a hand rubbing his belly.
Zuko came into the room with a tray, walking over to the bed, he set the tray down. Aang glanced toward the tray and then back to Zuko.
“What’s that?” Aang asked.
Zuko smiled. “Dessert.” Zuko lifted the top off of the tray to reveal Aangs favorite.
“Egg custard tart.. Is that egg custard tart?” Aang asked with a smile.
“It is, I remember you said it was your favorite.”
“It is!” Aang beamed. “You didn’t have to make that..”
“I wanted to.”
Aang cupped Zuko’s cheek gently pulling him in for a kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” Zuko returned the kiss. “Always spider monkey.”