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The fire came for Aang’s face. He ducked, only airbending keeping him on his feet.
“We can still talk this through,” he called to Zuko, who ignored him as he shot another fireball.
Aang dodged, determined to end the fight without going on the offensive. He twisted to look at Zuko. The teenager was only a few years older than him, but he scowled with a hatred that Aang couldn’t imagine.
“You’d be happier if you smiled.”
Aang regretted the words immediately. They were callous, even if he’d meant them as genuine advice.
With a growl, Zuko sent another fireball.
“You’d be happier if you smiled.”
Aang’s words echoed in Zuko’s head long after they’d been spoken. He was aware of every smile that graced his lips, especially since arriving in Ba Sing Se.
He was happy, or at least something that kind of resembled it. He hadn’t expected to find that happiness in Ba Sing Se, but it felt good to spend time in one place. He hadn’t had that since he was twelve.
He went to the window and looked down on the bustling city street.
Maybe it wasn’t what he’d imagined for himself, but it was something.
Zuko glanced at Aang and caught him smiling at him.
“What?” Zuko said, looking down at himself in confusion to see if he was inadvertently embarrassing himself.
He couldn’t find anything out of place.
Aang laughed and shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just nice to see you smiling.”
Zuko paused. He had been smiling, hadn’t he? He’d been so proud of Aang for learning the move so quickly that he hadn’t even noticed.
“It’s no big deal,” he muttered as his cheeks burned. “Let’s try the form again.”
Aang laughed, but he did what Zuko had instructed, getting into position.
The sun was setting as Appa landed. Aang hardly had time to hop off Appa’s back before the bison was attacking Zuko with affection. Even the guards that had accompanied their firelord to meet the Avatar laughed.
“It’s good to see you, Zuko.”
Aang pulled him into a hug, and Zuko wasn’t shy about returning it.
Zuko was still smiling as they pulled apart.
“A lot has happened since your last visit.”
“I heard!” Aang said as they set off in the direction of the city. “I can’t wait to meet Izumi.”
“You’re going to love her,” Zuko said, beaming.