Will you keep me warm?

Zuko has never thought about his life in this way. He’s always been confident in his own destiny, he’s always know what he must do. But fate wasn’t really kind with him. Amount of times he’s fell into the darkest depth, he’s lost everything that mattered to him, he’s been alone with all of his decisions. And none of them was good. Except the last one, which he should have never chosen. He has just been accepted into the Avatar team. He couldn’t sleep, he was worried about other’s attitude towards him. Mostly about Katara’s one. “Of course she is right… They all can’t trust me after so many mistakes I’ve made. I want to prove that I’ve changed, I really want it! But i don’t no how… That is the biggest problem in my life! At least now…”, — thought he. He opened his amber eyes, taking a look at the window. Western air temple was incredible. It was hidden under the cliff and had brilliant view on foggy canyon. It’s impossible to think about something usual or real looking there. “I swear, I feel like uncle Iroh when I see this beauty”, — thought the firebender getting up to see the transparent stars' shine. Zuko slowly looked around the canyon and suddenly noticed a familiar silhouette sitting alone. It hurt him just to look at the boy, hunched over from the burden of feelings and responsibility, and went out of the bed. He knew that only he could help this boy. “Because I’m the one who made all of his problems”, — A thought flashed through the guy’s mind. He hurried to kick it out and soon was near the young Avatar. — Why don’t you sleep? — Whispered the exiled prince. — You know, I want to ask this question to you too, — quite answered boy. They were silent for a few seconds. — Why are you alone? — carefully asked dark-haired. — I’m not alone. There is my family. Katara, Sokka, Toph, Appa and Momo… — he listed. Zuko shuddered as gray-eyed added: — And you. — Don’t lie, Avatar, — he hid his gaze, having no power to up it. — I… I’m not an your friend. It’s impossible. I just teach you firebending. You can’t rely on me so much after… After all. — I don’t think so, — objected boy frowning at him. — Why can't you forgive yourself? — Ha. My father can’t do that. Katara doesn’t want to even think about that. Moreover, I betrayed my uncle. I’m here just because you gave me a permission and the second chance. Oh, wait, not the second. The hundredth. — I really can’t understand you! — the Avatar speaked up with concern. — Everything you mentioned doesn’t have to do anything for you! It was a question only about you! Not about Ozai, Iroh, Katara or even me! — Be quite! — The guy hissed. — It doesn’t matter. Anyway… Let’s back to my question. Why are you here, not in the sleeping bag? — It’s too cold, — He grunted. — You’re lying me. You’ve lived in such air temple! — But it was on the South! — Doesn’t matter. Oh, wait, wasn’t it a hint that you want me to teach you firebending? — That too, — the gray-eyed muttered evasively. — But in fact it isn’t. — You’re so understandable, — Exiled prince snorted sarcastically. — So what do you mean? — Nothing. — Holy Spirits, you’re more stubborn than I’ve expected, — he muttered and moved closer. — If you say me, why are you awake, II’ll keep you warm. — What? — You heard me, — Zuko frowned and pretended as he didn’t see the Avatar’s embarrassed cheeks. — So? — Ehhm, — gray-eyed hid his gaze, hugging his knees. — It was a nightmare. — What it was about? About my father? — Not at all. Yes, we were fighting, but that wasn’t the worst part. You know, I was able to bender all of the elements! And fire too. — But?… — My fire was… Cold. The more fire I made, the colder I felt. And the Ozai laughed at me. He said I was foolish to think that fire can be made out of the good feelings. And then… Then he made the biggest bombfire I ever seen and I felt myself really hot. I couldn’t breath. I was burned in the hottest fire that could be in this world. And my fire wasn’t strong enough to help me. My cold fire has gone with me. And I wasn’t able to keep my warm. I had felt cold until my spirit turned into small snowflakes, which disappeared after someone’s warm touch, — the boy was whispering on the verge of hearing. Exiled prince was keeping a silent during his monologue, realising his words. — Hey, Avatar, — called Zuko him. The airbender didn’t answer. “I’m an idiot!” — thought he. — “Would I feel better if somebody called me as “exiled prince” or “the Ozai son”? Ugh, I can’t believe how stupid I am!… " — Aang? — Mm? — Your fire won’t be cold even if you don’t feel anger or something like that. — Really? — A glimmer of hope in his gray eyes catch some stars, making the boy slowly smiled. — I swear, — he nodded, feeling better because of the Avatar’s smile. — My uncle Iroh doesn’t feel such emotions, but his fire is really powerful. — And what about you? — I… I was stupid to think otherwise, — He exhaled shyly. — I-I can proof! — What? How? — You felt cold? — Ehhm, well… — I think yes, — dark-haired smiled a little. — Can… Can we sleep not near the others? Just in case. Aang incredulous looked at guy, but let him grab his wrist and go into the Zuko’s room — of course the team can’t believe him in everything, so his first night as an Avatar’s team member he spended in separate room. Nevertheless, he didn’t mind. “Especially now. Why do I want to do that?” — thought he. — Get into the bed. — But it’s yours! — Doesn’t matter. Get into, Aang! — I can’t understand what do you want from me, — the Avatar muttered. The guy chuckled. — I’m fulfilling my promise. Hope you don’t mind. The firebender focused on his breath, making a small sparkl in his hand. It looked like a star from the night sky, which the guy has caught, shined only for the gray-eyed boy. After a few seconds the sparkle turned into a neat bombfire that was controlled by Zuko’s fingers. Aang couldn’t take his eyes off the bright flame. Soon he felt cozy warm. — What are you going to do? Amber-eyed didn’t answer. He sat near the Avatar and made fire quite bigger. — Do you feel better? Aang nodded closing his eyes. He didn’t know the reason, but he was confident that the guy wouldn’t hurt him. The airbender just believed that this flame won’t be as unmanageable as his. Zuko made fire brighter by controlling his breath. Then he grab the boy’s wrist, moving he closer to him, and share the flame’s warm with gray-eyed. He shuddered. — Zuko? The Avatar felt how his friend’s energy of fire was moving from his fingers to his chest and then to all over the body. Warm was in his blood, in his heart, in his soul. Aang couldn’t resist the urge to immediately go to bed and fall asleep. He lay down and heard the firebender’s breath near his ear. Warm arms were hugging his chest from the back, holding him closer. The boy exhaled sharply. — Mm? — Will… Will you keep me warm? — with pleading intonation whispered the airbender. — Of course, goody goody