Rebuilding

Chapter 2

Intimate Reunion

(Set following the rest of the Gaang's

Return to the Fire-nation)

Zuko was uncertain how long he sat there; but it had been long enough that he had no tears left; he just sucked in ragged, painful breaths and shuddered, occasionally. "Zuko," a quiet voice came from behind him, the prince turned, and saw Aang; powerful, and perfect, standing there. Zuko sheepishly wiped the tears from his reddened eyes; he was pleased beyond reason to see Aang safe and sound. Then, guilt threatened to overtake Zuko again when he realized that the probable implications of Aang's presence also pleased him.

"Is Ozai, is he…" Zuko asked Aang, hesitantly, he wasn't sure if he really wanted to know. "Your father's alive, Zuko, I discovered that there was another option; I learned how to take away his ability to fire-bend." "Without his bending, his armies, and his crown, he's no longer a threat to anyone." Zuko's head began to spin, whether it was hearing this news, or a result of his injuries, he couldn't say. He felt faint and slumped forward, but Aang was right there, to catch him and help him gently to the ground.

"It's alright, Zuko I've got you," Aang whispered, Zuko could hear worry, and even a little panic in the Avatar's voice. Zuko wanted to reassure him that everything was alright. "I'm okay, Aang, the fight took a lot out of me, that's all." Aang knew that there was more to it than that, but didn't push. He hoped, though that Zuko would feel up to telling him later. The two of them hugged each other, forgetting what shape they were in. It quickly came back to them, though. They each grimaced; their respective battles had left them both worse for wear, and pretty sore. However, they were able to work past that, as they drank each other in.

They had both seen so much, suffered so much, and had experienced more pain, and loss, and destruction than anyone should have to. Aang and Zuko each felt a pang of guilt, for a moment; this war had caused pain and grief everywhere, for everyone. The two of them hardly had the market cornered on personal suffering. But, for the time being, they granted one another permission to be selfish.

Aang and Zuko lost themselves to their passions, they explored each other's forms, and discovered things they didn't even know about their own bodies. It was possibly the most intimate, and special thing either of them had ever experienced. Zuko had, from time to time relieved his tensions by himself during long lonely nights on the ship while in exile; but he had never been with another person, and he was panting in anticipation, but also nervousness. He was three years Aang's senior, larger and heavier, he didn't want to hurt him, physically, or emotionally; but the quiet insistence of his partner, and of his own libido, drove him forward. Aang became aware of his breeches becoming uncomfortably tight; he was still relatively young (in this lifetime, at least)and unfamiliar with the workings of his body, and had so far experienced this sensation only as a painful inconvenience if he woke up and had to relieve himself in the middle of the night. But part of him also vaguely recalled experiencing these sensations in another lifetime, when he was another person; and he remembered that they had much more pleasurable applications. Aang and Zuko came together as one, just like the elements they personified; air feeds the fire, fire heats the air. The two merge and become stronger than either could be alone.