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Zuko had let it slip. Truly he didn’t think they’d notice. Of course with Toph around they noticed. “Woah woah woah..what did you say sparky? Boyfriend?” Everyone’s eyes were on him as his face turned beet red. “Shit..” “Shit indeed.”
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Zuko hated and loved Toph. He loved her for well..being her, which is also why he hated her. Loudly announcing he had a boyfriend while he was trying to head to sleep was not the plan. Now everyone was awake. Asking him questions all at the same time. “Can you all just..one at a time?” Everyone went quiet before Aang spoke up. “When did you have time for a boyfriend? Not that we’re judging you! Just..you joined us the second we made it to the Northern Watertribe..” “Yea..um..it was before that. But he-” “Ok wait one more. Where? Where did you stay long enough to get a boyfriend.” Zuko sighed feeling a headache slowly creeping in. “He isn’t..near Gaoling. It was small..still had a port and- why am I explaining this to you? He isn’t my boyfriend. He was..he’s just..” “A friend you kiss and pray to Agni that he’s ok?” Zuko turned to glare at Toph who smirked tilting her head.
“Now you have to tell us the details. His name, what he looks like..Ooo! I bet it was so sweet!” “Yea because Zuko was such a sweetheart a few weeks ago..” “Shut up.” Zuko glared at Sokka who only smiled at him batting his eyelashes. Zuko went quiet before mumbling. “His name is Kova..” “And?” Zuko glared at Sokka before shrugging. “He..um..he’s tall. He’s from the Southern Watertribe-” “Stop! He’s from what?” “..The Southern Watertibe.” “In the Earth Kingdom?” “In the Earth Kingdom.” “And how old is he?” Zuko shrugged rubbing the back of his neck. “17.” Zuko watched Katara and Sokka stare at each other for a second. “We didn’t know any Kova..” “It’s not my story to tell..Can I go to bed now?” “No-” Suki slapped her hand over Sokka’s mouth as she nods. “Of course you can Zuko.” Zuko stared at her before his eyebrows scrunched up. “Uh huh.” He stood up walking to his bedroll laying down with a slightly heavy feeling in his heart.
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Zuko felt a warm hand on his back as he slowly woke up with a groan. His head was pounding. It..no it wasn’t Uncle. Uncle would be awake by now. Zuko barely remembered how the week had gone. He remembers breaking the Avatar out of the Pohuai Stronghold. He remembers the Avatar asking him if they’d be friends if he was born 100 years ago..then he remembers truly thinking about it. He remembers telling his Uncle he wanted a break from hunting the Avatar. Then he remembered telling him he wanted to stop hunting him period. He remembered the look on Uncle’s face before he smiled grabbing his hand. “Do you know what you’re doing?” Zuko sighed at the memory. Last night..right.
Last night he asked his Uncle if they could head to the Northern Watertribe to join the Avatar. And he smiled and agreed. Zuko wasn’t sure why he was surprised but, he truly was. Then there was Kova. Oh, sweet Agni did Zuko like Kova. He ran into him by accident. He was lost in thought standing in front of his mother's restaurant and ended up asking if he was alright. In the sweetest way possible. Kova told him multiple times Zuko was shaking when he first saw him and Zuko almost didn’t believe him. Then again what did he know? That was 3 days ago. Why was he lying in Kova’s bed? It was Kova’s bed, wasn’t it? It felt like him- “Stop thinking so loud..” Zuko looked over his shoulder to see Kova hiding in his back. For someone who is much larger than him, it’s a really cute sight. “Thinking too loud?” “Mhm..you can worry about getting north when you have to go North. Right now? Right now you’re with me.” “I’m with Kova.” Zuko felt Kova smile into his back as he nodded. Zuko wasn’t sure how he even got Kova’s attention. According to Zuko’s standards, he shouldn’t even like Zuko. Kova’s mother is from the Southern Watertribe.
When Zuko had asked about his Father all Kova did was shrug. “Can’t really tell you about a man I don’t know. Mom doesn’t really like talking about him. Can’t blame her I guess..” Zuko didn’t bring up his Father again. Zuko also knew Kova wasn’t an idiot. “Is it true?” “Is what true..?” uko flinched feeling Kova gently trace his thumb under his scar. “Oh..what have you heard?” Kova shrugged before whispering. “Firelord Ozai is a cruel man. Unfit to be a Father. Deserves to rot. Yknow the usual..” Zuko closed his eyes as he felt Kova gently rub under his scarred eye. He tried not to flinch or shake, but could you blame him? He opened his eyes when Kova dropped his hand. “Your dad was wrong yknow..” Zuko didn’t understand why Kova wanted to spend time with him. He prolonged his stay. He knew if he was going to catch up with the Avatar he needed to leave.
Zuko felt a tap on the back of his neck as he finally rolled over. “You’re gonna miss me right?” “Maybe..” Kova gasped tiredly as he placed a hand over his heart. “Just a maybe? Zuko how cruel..” Zuko smiled as he reached out gently cupping Kova’s cheek. “I will..I truly will.” “Promise?” Zuko nodded smiling as Kova kissed his palm. “You want something that belongs to me? Just to carry yknow..” Zuko shrugged before sitting up and rubbing his eyes. “Make it a surprise..I leave at noon.” Zuko stopped as he felt Kova’s arms around his waist as he smiled patting his arm. “Pick..anything in my room. Anything at all.” Zuko looked around before smiling and standing up. Zuko let out a laugh hearing Kova fake gasp. “My necklace? Really Koko?” Zuko held the white necklace in his hand tracing the carving. “Are..you sure?” “Positive.”
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Zuko stirred awake when he felt the air go through his hair. A lot of it. Zuko sat up looking around to see he was in the air. “Good morning sleeping beauty!” Zuko turned to see Toph smirking at him. “..Why didn’t you wake me up?” “Trust me sparky it wasn’t my idea. Ask Aang.” Zuko wiped his face as he turned to see Aang smiling bashfully. “Aang.” “So funny thing..yknow how you said you had a boyfriend? Kova? And you said it was a port town near Gaoling..so why not..go visit?” Zuko stared at Aang before opening his mouth to say something. Anything. “Wait! It was also Sokka’s idea!” “What?! Katara was the one who convinced me actually to put you on Appa!” Katara scoffed glaring at Sokka before smiling at Zuko. “Look..while I want you to see Kova I mostly want to talk to his mom..and him. Maybe his dad too-”
“Do not bring up his Father around him. Please..” Katara stared before nodding. “Well..ok then. Listen we’re almost there so-” “We’re here!” “..be prepared..” Zuko looked over Appa to see the same small town he regretted leaving on those lonely nights. “Shit..” Zuko groaned feeling a punch on his arm. “Lighten up Sparky! I’m sure he’s super excited to see you. Don’t make out. I don’t need to see that.” “But.. never mind.” Toph smirked as they landed hopping off Appa first. “I say we let Zuko loose!” Zuko sighed shaking his head. “He isn’t a dog Toph..but I agree.” Zuko glared at Sokka as Suki helped Aang take things off Appa’s back. “Go ahead Zuko! We’ll find a place to stay. Do you have anything you need?” Zuko nodded before catching his bag when Suki tossed it to him. “Have fun!” Zuko smiled before quickly wandering off. Looking for Kova couldn’t be that hard..right? He wouldn’t leave..he said this was his home. “Zuko?” That was quick. Zuko turned around seeing Kova’s mother. “Anjij..” The woman smiled before pulling him into a tight hug. “Thank the spirits you’re ok. Where is your uncle?” “Undercover. I’m sorry if you wanted to see him..”
Anjij laughed patting Zuko’s back. “You or your Uncle I’m glad you’re here. Kova missed you. He also told me you took my necklace.” Zuko froze before mumbling. “Your necklace?” “He didn’t tell you? The necklace you took was technically mine but eh! It looked great on you! You still have it right?” Zuko nodded numbly subtly glancing behind her. Zuko jumped slightly as she snapped her fingers in his face. “I see you looking for him. You can see him after telling me how meeting the avatar went.” Zuko tried to give her his best smile without looking defeated before he went on to explain the members of the Gaang. Anjij held onto his arm as they walked back to her restaurant. He felt her grip tighten as he brought up the fact that Sokka and Katara were from the Southern Water Tribe. She stopped walking completely when he told her Katara was a Waterbender. “Is she really..?” Zuko nodded as he gave Anjij a small smile.
The woman let out a breathy laugh as she shook her head. “And here I thought..” Anjij shook her head as she smiled. “And where are they?” “Setting up camp somewhere..” “And you?” Zuko froze before feeling a blush creep up his neck. “They said I could..go look for Kova..” Anjij let out a laugh as she patted Zuko’s arm making him let go. “Kova should be home. Probably still sleeping. Go up there and wake him up for me.” Zuko walked into the familiar small restaurant smiling as he headed upstairs. “And when you meet with your friends bring them over!” Zuko walked into Kova’s room and saw a large lump on his bed. He took a step closer before sitting on the edge of the bed. Honestly, Zuko had no idea how to approach him. Minus the sleeping part, he was still shocked Kova missed him. Zuko quietly opened his bag and brought out the necklace he had taken.
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“Is this important to you?” Kova shrugged smiling at Zuko. “Maybe.” Zuko held the necklace tighter as he glared slightly at Kova. “Oh don’t look at me like that. It’s yours Zuko. I’m serious.” Zuko let out an approving noise before he felt an arm around his waist. “Koko.” Zuko let out a huff turning his head around so see Kova smiling at him. “Keep it safe alright? I’m not saying wear it 24/7 but..just..take care of it alright?
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Zuko stared at Kova before taking a deep breath his hand hovering over his head. “Mm..” Zuko moved his hand before scooting closer. Zuko froze when Kova turned lying on his side. Zuko stared at Kova’s face before his head tilted slightly and sighed. “You’re too pretty for your own good..” Zuko smiled when the only response he got was more snoring. “...I missed you. A lot. Was I upset that my friends put me on Appa? At first..but when I found out I got to see you? Spirits Kova..I-” “Missed you too.” Zuko froze before looking down at Kova who was smiling tiredly at him. “Kova..” Zuko let himself be pulled down as he lay next to Kova. “You and my mother wake up..way too early.” Zuko smiled as Kova stretched around Zuko. “It's not that early..” Kova scoffed before blinking at him. “When did the sun come up?”
Zuko shrugged looking out the window. “..A hour ago?” “So too early?” Zuko shook his head hiding his face in Kova’s chest. “Did..you get bigger?” Kova barked out a laugh as he coughed. “Get bigger? Are you asking if I gained weight?” Zuko shook his head before closing his eyes feeling Kova run his hands through his hair. “Maybe. I’m a growing boy Koko..” Zuko let out a snort moving his leg to rest against Kova’s. “Still short.” “No. You’re just a giant at 17.” “Not giant just..” Kova yawned tugging Zuko closer. “A growing boy..” Zuko watched as Kova slowly went back to sleep before whispering. “And a growing boy needs his rest..” Kova nodded one more time before snoring all over again.
Zuko gently rubbed Kova’s cheek before jumped hearing a knock on Kova’s door. “..yes?” The door opened as Aang smiled nervously. “Heyyy..don’t mean to uh..disturb but can I check your bag?” Zuko wasn’t going to question how Aang found him so quickly. He pointed to his bag on the ground as he played with Kova’s hair. Zuko watched as Aang dug through the bag before pulling an irritated Momo out. “Thought so. Let’s go, buddy.” Aang placed Momo on his shoulder smiling at Zuko. “Sorry for startling you. Everyone’s downstairs by the way..when yknow..you’re done doing whatever you’re doin.” Aang left the room as Momo began to chatter with him making Zuko smile. “What the hell is a Momo?” “Go back to sleep.”