Memories from Western Airtemple

Memories from Western Air Temple
Chapter 9
The Green-Eyed Monster

Dinner around the campfire at the evening was probably Aang’s favourite part of the day. That was when everyone would share short stories about the things they had done during the day and share jokes that they would all laugh over. Those were the times when the friendship between them all was most apparent, when Aang truly felt that these people were his family.

Only, there was one person who did not once laugh with the others. Aang knew this for a fact for he listened closely to the boy in question, straining to hear any sound that could be interpreted as laughter, but did not hear even the slightest of hums. It was almost like Zuko was trying to keep as silent as possible, which might have actually been a possibility. The prince may have been getting acceptance from most members of their group but was still clearly reluctant to draw attention to himself. Also, Zuko still preferred to sit between The Duke and Toph, like the two younger members of the group offered some kind of a protection.

In truth, Aang had been thinking about Zuko a lot lately. The Avatar wanted to help Zuko fit in with the rest of the group and so he tried to keep a close eye on the way the prince interacted with his friends. The problem seemed to be that Zuko did not feel confident with reaching out to others. Zuko did not push anyone away but he also did not seem to want to initiate anything. And since the others were not comfortable with talking to the firebender, there were not many chances for things to progress between Zuko and the rest of the group. Although, some days ago Zuko had gone out hunting with Sokka and even though the two had come back looking solemn, a strange sense of peace had seemed to settle between them.

Speaking of the teen in question, Sokka had just launched into a detailed description of his last fishing trip that, judging from Katara’s amusedly exasperated expression, was more than slightly exaggerated. The girl was always able to tell when her brother was jibbing. Haru, who had gone along for the trip, seemed rather reluctant to comment on the catches that Sokka said had escaped at the last moment, which was probably because he was feeling conflicted between defending his pride and his still-apparent crush on Katara. Aang was not sure how he felt about the latter but was not really bothered by it, probably because Katara did not seem to feel anything but friendship for the earthbending boy.

All thoughts Aang might have still given to the subject were swept away by a strange sound that broke through a brief pause in the tale Sokka was spouting. Aang’s, as well as everyone else’s, eyes went to the direction of the sound, a strange sputter, to see Zuko covering his mouth with a hand and looking thoroughly embarrassed.

The yellow glow of the flames lit what was visible of Zuko’s face and Aang was almost certain that the fire prince’s cheeks were coloured red, let it be from embarrassment or from holding back more of those strange sounds Aang was not sure.

Right then Toph leaned in closer to Zuko and muttered something under her breath, her face adorning an absolutely sinister grin that Aang noticed had been there for a while now, and next Zuko let out another strangled noise.

This time around everyone was listening closely and heard the tone of the sound that came from Zuko’s covered mouth. Everyone in the group recognized the stifled laugh for exactly what it was and Aang felt a wave of joy at the progress the prince seemed to have made. Still, underneath the happiness Aang’s stomach burned like he was having indigestion and the airbender could not help but think that he was supposed to be the one to make Zuko laugh.

To be continued...