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Memories from Western Airtemple	By : DarthAnimus Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > AU/AR - Alternate Universe/Alternate Reality > Slash - Male/Male Views: 16187 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own "Avatar: the Last Airbender" or the characters. I don't make any profit out of writing this.

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Memories from Western Air Temple
Chapter 19
Sleeping Arrangements

It was the following evening after Zuko’s nap with Aang on Appa that the prince found his bedding missing from his room. Unsure of whom to suspect exactly Zuko immediately headed outside to the spot where they had all of their meals. It was also where everyone else slept whenever the weather was not too cold or moist. Well, everyone else slept there except for Zuko, since Katara did not allow the firebender so close to them when they were unawares.
Zuko found his bedding immediately upon his entrance to the campsite. His sleeping roll was in Aang’s possession and the Avatar was currently happily spreading it out right beside his own one. Zuko immediately felt his face heat up at the implications but shook himself out of his daze as he made his way over to the airbender and tried to appear stern as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Aang’s eyes rose up to meet Zuko’s own as the boy gave an innocent smile and suddenly Zuko became aware of the fact that Aang was very possibly oblivious to the custom that only married couples slept in such a manner beside each other in the Fire Nation. After all, there was really no reason for a twelve-year-old airbender to know something like that.
“What are you doing?” Zuko asked from the kneeling boy, who merely smiled at him sincerely and then replied: “I decided that it would be better if you slept here with the rest of us, rather than all alone in your dark room.” With those words Zuko understood Aang’s motive perfectly: the Avatar was simply trying to help him with his nightmares.
“Well, I don’t see why he should be sleeping so close to you, Aang”, Katara’s cold voice spoke in a manner that chilled Zuko to the bone. “I agreed to let him join us since he helped Sokka rescue dad and Suki, but that doesn’t mean I’m fine with this particular arrangement.”
“Come on Katara!” the saviour of the world whined as his eyes widened to a puppy dog look. “How else is Zuko going to get over his nightmares?”
“If he even had any in the first place…” Zuko heard the girl mutter under her breath but her reply to Aang was: “You’re very kind, Aang, but it really doesn’t hurt to be careful.”
“Oh, let the boy do as he pleases”, came the voice of the waterbender’s father, Hakoda Zuko remembered the man’s name to be. “Surely nothing will happen during a harmless activity like sleeping.” The man’s blue eyes focused on Zuko all of a sudden and in the next instant the teen felt very bared indeed. “However”, Hakoda spoke in a tone of voice that bordered on amusement. “I think we should ask what Zuko himself thinks about this arrangement. The poor boy looks awfully embarrassed.” With that the man walked off, chuckling to himself slightly.
Zuko lowered his gaze and found his eyes meeting Aang’s own again. The airbender looked worried as he queried: “Are you uncomfortable sleeping next to me, Zuko? I’m sorry if I seemed inconsiderate.”
“I-it’s fine”, Zuko managed to utter awkwardly. “It’s just that, well…” The airbender rose to his feet, looking at Zuko curiously and Zuko’s eyes fell to the floor as he mumbled: “It’s not customary in Fire Nation for people to sleep in such close proximity to each other.” Actually, Zuko had never in his life shared a room or his personal space with anyone other than a member of his family, with the exception of Mai during the time they had dated and Zuko had been able to allow that only because of the long history they shared.
“Meaning that Firecracker is a prude”, Toph’s voice commented from right behind Zuko, causing the firebender to jump in shock and shoot a glare behind him even though it was wasted effort. The prince barely registered it when Aang and Katara wished each other good night as the waterbender’s fears seemed to have been put to a rest. Zuko’s main focus was Toph, who stepped closer to the firebender and poked the bottom of his spine with a finger as she spoke: “I hardly think Twinkle Toes of all people is going to pose a threat to your virtue, Firecracker. Go to bed and let him do this. You’ll both feel better afterwards.” And with that the girl wandered off without as much as a good bye.
Sighing to himself Zuko turned back to Aang, who was looking at him expectantly. Taking a deep breath the teen moved past the airbender and curled up underneath the covers on his new sleeping spot. Aang joined him on his side soon after and slowly silence fell over the entire group as everyone went to bed and started to slowly fall asleep.
Having his personal space reduced in such a way really made it harder for Zuko to relax enough to fall asleep. Because of this the teen was still very much awake when Aang’s asked in a quiet whisper: “Are you alright, Zuko?”
Zuko merely hummed in response and jumped when he felt Aang’s hand slip underneath his covers, seeking out his own hand and closing around the fingers. Zuko peered through the shadows at Aang, whose face showed no ill intent as the boy offered: “I’ll hold you if you get scared.”
“Thanks”, Zuko whispered gently back, gripping the hand holding his back. “I think this will do just fine.” The firebender allowed himself to smile and Aang returned the gesture in kind before closing his eyes to sleep.
Suddenly Zuko felt a lot less uncomfortable sleeping so close to another person.
To be continued...
Ending Notes: I really wondered about how Zuko was given his own room in “Western Air Temple” and still in “Southern Raiders” everyone slept outside. I tried to make some sense of it here. Also, I decided that Zuko would be a prude for no reason other than because it makes for good humour.
And for Kairan: Don't worry about sounding nitpicky to me; I've been worse at one point. Not to mention I agree with you; the chapter would have been more entertaining with a bit more content, but I wanted to place emphasis on the conversations. So everything 'extra' had to go. So, I say again, don't worry so much about it. Your critique was taken as being constructive and nothing really negative. ;)
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Memories from Western Airtemple