Chapter Text
Aang closed his eyes as he focused on his breath as Zuko instructed, He imagined the heat of the sun radiating onto his skin; alongside images of red-cloaked warriors as he pushed his fist forward with a grunt, light shining outside his eyelids. He opened his eyes to the flames flickering out of existence as he looked to Zuko who nodded in approval.
“Very good, now again with your eyes open, you need to be able to see your target as you bend.” Zuko instructed. Aang was very hesitant to work under the fire bender at first, his strict nature intimidating the carefree avatar. But over the hours he had studied under him he had realized while he expected focus, he was fair and understanding despite their past with one another.
He let his developing muscle memory take over as he copied the form once more until he couldn’t help but notice the blur of blue cloth and tanned skin in the corner of his vision. The flames seemed to suffocate themselves into thin wisps of smoke. He looked to Zuko nervously to see his reaction but there was very little reaction to speak off.
“Aang can we speak away from the others for a moment?” Zuko asked his tone almost sounding nervous, and appeared almost anxious as Katara quickly stood from where she was watching.
“Jeez Katara! Sparky isn’t gonna hurt him chill!”
“I promise it’s nothing like that!” Zuko instantly swore, looking at Katara with wide eyes.
“He’s telling the truth.” Toph stated as everyone looked to her with looks of bewilderment. “I can feel lies remember? How do you guys always forget that!? Anyways Aang, Zuko shoo! I wanna see how many rocks Katara can dodge at once.” Toph then turned to the water bender with a mischievous grin as they ran off, Suki and Sokka quickly chasing after them leaving the duo alone.
“Just you seem to have some mental issue. Not that way! As in something that’s making it hard to fire bend… You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to but I might be able to help? Either way we need to find a way around it as soon as possible as you probably know.” Zuko rambled as he looked away awkwardly “Sorry, I’m not the best at these kinds of talks. Usually my uncle took care of this stuff.” He admitted with a nervous chuckle, not that Aang minded the fire benders obvious discomfort.
“You weren’t THAT bad. It’s just when I first tried this I hurt her... I’m scared I’ll get too confident or careless. Fire is a dangerous element. I don’t want to be someone she’s afraid of.” Aang admitted as he looked to his feet in shame at the memory of Kataras frightened yell that reverberated in his mind.
Zukos heart clenched in understanding; He put his hand softly on Aangs shoulder as he looked up to Zukos scarred face. “I get it, the fact you feel that way proves even more to me that you are ready to learn fire bending. You respect it’s capacity for danger. But it can also do other things too.”
“Huh like what?” Aang asked curiously as Zuko could only smile sadly. it was easy to forget after all his travelling and trails chasing the famed avatar; that in reality he wasn’t even a teenager yet. Just a boy with the world on his shoulders.
“Well you use fire to light torches, make tools, cook food. Maybe it would help if you imagined those things when scary images come to mind? Worth a try at least.” Zuko suggested with a shrug as Aang thought on the idea quickly smiling as he realized the thought of fire bending didn’t sound as daunting when he thought of their warm meals around the fireplace.
“I think it might just work! You really do take after you uncle in some things!” Aang said cheerfully as Zuko just blushed slightly at his high praises.
“Heh, I sure hope so.”