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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.

Chapter List
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Memories from Western Air Temple
Chapter 26
Dancers of Fate

Zuko had gone missing. That in itself was not so worrisome but it was odd since it was raining heavily outside. When it was nearing lunchtime Toph took it upon herself to go looking for the prince and for some reason Aang found himself scoffing to himself when the suggestion was made. Truth be told, there was really no reason for him to feel displeasure at Toph saying that, since he had been about to say the same thing.
In the end both Aang and Toph had gone off to look for Zuko while everyone else preferred to do their own things. And, as if it were some kind of a game, Aang was determined to find Zuko first. So, he decided to first check out the storage house that had been made into a stable for Appa, simply because that was where Zuko usually went. The storage in question was on the other side of the huge complex that made the Fire Nation’s royal family’s summer cottage. They had chosen this setting so that Appa would not shed his fur or do any other “disgusting animal stuff” that Sokka called them near their living quarters. The fastest way to Appa was across the big courtyard but that was also where the rain got through the most because of the lack of shelter. Still, Aang decided to take that path.
And that was where he found Zuko; the fire prince was leaning against a pillar looking strangely at peace in the dreadful weather. Aang could not keep himself from smiling at the sight and he lifted his hand into a wave as he called: “Ah, I found you Zuko!”
At the shout, Zuko turned towards the airbender and greeted him: “Hey, Aang. You were looking for me too?” There was something so incredibly light in Zuko’s tone, an undertone of fondness, and Aang felt his cheeks burn when he heard it. He walked towards the firebender as he spoke: “Of course”, and finally saw that there was someone with Zuko, previously hidden by a pillar. Aang looked at Toph and felt his blood run cold from a strange feeling that was a mix of disappointment and anger. He could not help but utter out the reason for his broken mood: “Oh, Toph already found you.”
As soon as he finished speaking Aang could tell that Toph had noticed his change of tone. One of the earthbender’s eyebrows rose in a querying manner and Aang actually felt embarrassed and ashamed about letting his twisting and turning emotions affect the way he treated one of his best friends. Toph did not deserve that.
Suddenly Aang felt a weight settle down on his shoulder and Aang turned his head to Zuko to see the firebender giving him a sweet smile before questioning: “Would you like to dance under the rain with me?”
It took Aang a while to come up with an answer and he merely stood there blinking and staring at the teen in front of him. He had never expected Zuko to be the kind of person to enjoy something so, well, childish and the question had caught him completely off guard. Not to mention it was so incredibly distracting to have Zuko smile so tenderly at him.
It was clear that Aang could not articulate a response while Zuko was looking at him like that, so he closed his eyes with a soft sigh, not bothering to fight the smile the firebender’s friendliness brought to his lips. Finally he opened his eyes and allowed his smile to spread into a grin as he lifted a hand to place on top of the one on his shoulder and replied: “I’d love to.”
Gripping tightly onto Zuko’s hand Aang darted underneath the prince’s arm and dragged the taller boy after him as he rushed with feather light steps away from the shelter keeping them dry and into the rain.
Rain whipped Aang’s face the moment the two rushed outside and the airbender had to stop to regain his bearings. This resulted in Zuko’s body bumping into his own since the firebender also had difficulties with seeing in the downpour. Having the other’s body so close reminded Aang of how they had been pressed together like this at the top of the long staircase at the Sun Warriors’ city and Aang wondered if Zuko had thought about the same thing. He chuckled at that, not really believing that he and the prince could be thinking the exact same thing like that.
That was when Zuko released the grip he had on Aang’s hand and moved around to face the airbender. Aang looked at the shadowed face of his friend when he felt wet hands enclose his own into a grip that should not have been so warm in this weather. At that instant Aang was surprised to find himself thinking that Zuko really was beautiful and that was even before the prince grinned in a manner that caused Aang’s breath to catch in his throat.
In the next instant Aang was pulled forward when Zuko yanked on their interlocked hands. Aang yelped in surprise as the unrelenting grip the other had on his hands forced his body to follow the taller boy’s own. Puddles splashed gently underneath both of their feet as Zuko lead them into a spinning motion that started to quicken as soon as Zuko decided that Aang had gotten the hang of it.
It was such a bizarre situation, to do something so child-like with someone like Zuko as his partner. But as Aang smiled through the water running down his face he realized that there was not really anyone who he would have preferred to do this with. There was something so much more enthralling to do this with Zuko than there was in anything else. Even dancing with Katara had not caused his chest to feel both too tight and too vast in such a contrast. He felt happy and he was certain that Zuko did as well.
It was impossible for Aang to hold back his laughter and so he released it. The airbender laughed with pure happiness and joy as he and Zuko spun in the rain and puddles, Zuko’s laughter rising to sing a song along with his own. The rain played the melody for their laughing voices and only one thought in Aang’s mind had any clarity at all. During this otherworldly dance, the Avatar could not help but think: ‘He chose me, not Toph.’
To be continued...
Author's Notes: I know everyone's looking forward to seeing the Gaang's reaction to Zuko lightning bending. It won't be coming up anytime soon but don't worry, it has too much potential to be left out entirely.
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Memories from Western Airtemple