Chapter Text
“Avatar Aang, welcome.” Firelord Iroh greets Aang at the entrance of his palace.
Aang walks further into the throne room, looking around to see if anything has changed in the past year since he’s been here.
And he spots one change.
“Hello, Iroh, old friend,” Aang greets back, then hugs Iroh. Closing his eyes and smiling to cherish his friend’s smell, and body. “You’ve gotten shorter,” He teases after standing back up. His eyes flicker to the young man standing beside Iroh, but the kid simply stares back at him, not appearing spooked at being caught staring.
Iroh chuckles. “I’ve been meditating. The bird says, "It means I’ve gotten wiser, and the sacrifice was a few bones and toe nail clippings.”
The young man rolls his eyes at Iroh, but smiles.
Aang softly chuckles back. “Who is this young man?” Aang looks at the man in question. Long hair, and noticeable scarring over his eye. He’s in a red and gold Hanfu with twin dragons embroidered over the fabric.
And a soft smokey scent with apples.
Aang assumes him to be an Omega, but it’s not good to assume someone's secondary gender. He’s been wrong multiple times before.
His friend Bumi for example.
Iroh takes the young man’s hand, and Aang immediately suspects it to be his new mate.
“Let us have our conversation with some tea, yes?” Iroh suggested.
Iroh guides them out to the garden where a low table and cushions are set up. The servants have a few snacks set out and one is pouring tea into their cups before setting the tea pot down in the middle of the table.
Iroh sits down first, and then Aang, and the young man last.
Iroh brings his cup to his mouth, then inhales the scent. “Jasmine with some lavender and honey. Yum.” Then drinks.
The young man grabs a sandwich, and Aang starts to sip his tea. He’s surprised how often his eyes have been drawn to the young man in such a short amount of time. When Iroh’s son was alive, yes, they had great conversations, but he didn’t search for him in a crowded room.
“This is Zuko. He is my nephew.” Iroh explains.
Aang is shocked. Iroh spoke fondly of his sister-in-law, but never his brother. Aang assumed them to be similar to Ozai since he rarely spoke of Ozai children. He only knows about Azula because she’s been in a few of the traveling circuses performances.
Aang catches himself. Katara trained him well in the last decade to mask his surprise. He makes eye contact with Zuko, and raises his cup at him. “Nice to meet you, Zuko. I am Aang.”
Zuko offers a bow, “Nice to make your acquaintance Avatar Aang.”
“Please just Aang. This is a casual meeting.”
“No it’s not,” Iroh interrupts. Iroh puts his cup down, and begins to stroke his beard with one hand, looking off to the side. “I’ve named Zuko as my heir. He’ll be taking the throne in the coming months.”
Aang’s eyes widen before he can stop them. If he is to take over for Iroh, Zuko’s body must be a walking masterpiece under those heavy robes. “So your lighting must be magnificent? Iroh only told me he would give up the throne to someone who could make the dragons dance.”
Iroh chuckles. “I did say that,” He says nonchalantly.
Zuko bites his lip, “I haven’t learned lighting yet.”
“Oh,” Aang says. Aang looks between the two, then plucks a cracker off the tray. “May I ask why?”
Iroh laughs, and smacks his hand on Zuko’s shoulder, making the young man red in the face.
“Uncle!” He hisses. Obviously annoyed.
Iroh continues as his usual self, one Aang has grown with. “Do calm down, Zuko, and speak to the Avatar. Calmly.” He annunciates.
Zuko shakes his shoulders hand off, and it makes Aang think he can predict Zuko’s age.
“I’ve been having dreams of two dragons. One red, and one blue,” Zuko begins. “And I see the Avatar.” He looks at Aang.
Aang touches his chest. “Me?”
Zuko shakes his head. “It begins with you, but then is going through different Avatars. Some the history books talk about, and some I’ve never heard of, but each one talks about me needing to be close to the Avatar to awaken my true skills.”
“Avatar Roku was quite close with Sozin from what the history books suggest.” Iroh says, in a tone Aang cannot quite pinpoint.
“So,” Aang points at Zuko, then back at himself. “We should simply hang out?”
“Or more.” Iroh pipes up.
Zuko is red in the face. “Uncle has suggestions.”
“Suggestions?” Aang questions.
Iroh waves one of the servants over. Mia comes close, and offers her hand, and Iroh takes it. “I am an old man, and,” He heaves himself up, being overly dramatic with his “aching muscles” and rubs his back. “I need to rest.” He smiles brightly. “Aang get to know the future Firelord, Zuko is a good boy, well, man. Very much of age, and a strong fighter. Been through an agni kai.”
This catches Aang’s attention.
“And won at a young age!” Iroh boasts proudly.
Zuko grabs a macaron from the tray to eat.
“So, get to know my nephew. For the dragons, Aang,” He puts his hand in the air, then pulls it back in a fist to his chest. His face frowns as if he may cry.
“Go away, Uncle.”
Iroh perks up, and chuckles mischievously, then strolls away with the servant with a whimsical wave.
Leaving the two alone.
Aang watches him eat a few different treats before speaking up. “You seem to enjoy sweets.”
Zuko coughs in surprise.
Aang smiles at him while Zuko attempts to get it under control. “So what suggestions did Iroh say?”
Zuko bypasses the tea, and pours water into an empty cup from a pitcher. “My Uncle,” He begins while he pours.
Aang spots the muscles on Zuko’s forearm when his sleeve falls back as he pours. He can already sense a great fire under Zuko’s blood.
It’s like the lightning is ready to burst out of his skin.
It calls to the fire in Aang.
He wants to taste it.
“Avatar Aang?”
Oh.
Aang chuckles. “Sorry.”
“Sorry?”
Ah…..
“I mean….” He sees Zuko drinking his water. “I mean, can you repeat yourself?”
Zuko snorts, seeming amused before catching himself and schooling his features again. “I said, and I hope your old ears hear me this time, Avatar.”
Cute.
Zuko continues. “My Uncle suggests marriage between us.”
It’s like a record scratch in his chest. “I beg your pardon.”