when fire meets air

Chapter 2: Aang

"... And that's why I can't be with you, Katara. I'm sorry. " The avatar said with sadness and fear within his voice. He and Katara of the water tribe had been close to becoming a "thing", and he was happy about it at first... Then the Fire Lord's son came into his life and, well, he couldn't help but fall for those golden eyes and that confident smile and-

"Aang, it's okay." Katara dragged him back into reality. "I kind of suspected that you swing that way. Just quick question- am I allowed to tell anyone? " Katara asks, hope glowing in her eyes.
"Maybe you can tell Sokka, Toph already knows- that's a long story, don't make me get into that- but don't tell Zuko. " He said urgently. He'd tell him when he was ready.
"Alright. Well, it's time for your fire bending practice. " Katara says with a smile, beginning to piece together his little secret.
"Katara, no no," He laughed, blushing profusely.
"Go on, Avatar. Zuko will be mad that you are late. " She said, giving me a push that sent me sprinting to where Zuko was probably waiting.

"Aang. You're late. " Zuko scorned with a scowl.
"Sorry, I was just talking to Katara. " After the words escaped his mouth, a look of pain crossed over Zuko's face. Odd.
It disappeared quickly
"Okay." He said emotionlessly. "Well, do you remember that move I taught you yesterday? Let's begin with that.

After about 30 minutes of exhausting practice, Zuko suggests that they take a break.
They sat in silence for a couple minutes, the lack of noise consuming them like a starving ocean. Soon, Zuko emerged from the waves.
"Aang, not that I mean to pry, but what were you a Katara talking about?" Zuko asks. The question took Aang by surprise, causing him to stutter.
"Oh- uh- I was telling her that, um, we can't be together anymore because I don't have feelings for her any more." He explained with a blush creeping across his face. He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Oh, shit dude. That's rough I guess- may I ask why you lost interest in her? I mean, you guys seemed pretty close?" Zuko leaned forward and rested his head on his fist.
"I- uh..." He took a deep breath, "I have developed feelings for someone else and I didn't think it was fair for her to lead her on." He shrugged, but inside, Aang was panicking.
"I see." A little smirk tugged at the edge of Zuko's mouth. "That was very mature- not that you need to know but I did the same thing with Mai a little while back." Aang eyes widened in surprise for a moment, before he quickly regained his cool. He didn't want Zuko to think that he liked him or anything.
"Really?" Was all that he was able to manage without the butterflies flipping in his stomach.
"Yeah." Zuko looked away and then down at his hands. "Let's get back to work." He stood and walked back into the training area.

"And then step with your left foot. " Zuko says, trying to explain a new fire bending technique. Aang moved his left foot, only for it to land on a loose piece of rock. The world seems to go into slow motion as his legs slipped out, sending me tumbling down...
And onto Zuko.
As we fell, the air bender's lips accidentally touched his.
Their first kiss...
And Aang hoped that it was not their last.