Fic: The One Exception
Mar. 11th, 2008 03:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
foxysquidalsoHa ha, it has been a while since I wrote a Jet/Zuko story, and since I was sick last week, I thought I would indulge myself shamefully. I must warn you, though, this story is all about cute old men! Which, of course, is actually more of a delightful treat than something people need to be warned about.
Ha ha, special thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
armistice_day for participating in the silly conversation that spawned this idea.
Andali_wildgoose was nice enough to draw a little illustration for the fic, so I'll post it here. (She also suggested that I add more kissing, and I did my best!)
Awwwwwwwwww.
Title: The One Exception
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender (AU)
Pairing: Jet/Zuko
Wordcount: 4,100
Spoilers: N/A
Rating: All Ages
Notes: In this alternate universe, Jet never saw Iroh Firebend his tea, so he didn't fight Zuko in the teashop, was not captured by the Dai Li, and did not die. Katara never saw Zuko at the Jasmine Dragon, so Azula didn't realize he was there, and Zuko never joined Azula. Instead, when Ba Sing Se was invaded, Zuko joined forces with Jet. And now--it's fifty years later.
The One Exception.
It was an ideal summer afternoon, warm and drowsy, the leaves a deep green and the golden sunlight filtering through them, dappling the forest floor. In the clearing, bright-winged beeflies fluttered from flower to flower; the low drone of their buzzing was almost musical. They floated through the village, enlivening its green and brown houses with touches of blue and red and gold.
The Earth Kingdom village of Zi You was a relatively recent settlement; it had been founded about ten years after the war. At first, it had been little more than a collection of wooden platforms balanced on the wide branches of the trees, roofed with makeshift canopies of woven vines and branches and scavenged bits of other villages that had not survived the war. But with the passing years, Zi You had grown--both across and down. Although some of the residents still lived in the trees, in homes that were more safely constructed than those early structures, there were now buildings on the ground as well, for older denizens or those who simply would rather live with their feet on the ground.
Children were playing among the trees somewhere; their laughter drifting on a breeze. But the village itself was sleepy and quiet. It seemed its inhabitants were either busy at work or play elsewhere, or else they were availing themselves of the peaceful day and enjoying their afternoon naps.
That was not to say that the village was empty.
The largest house in the settlement was near the center. It was built of dark wood, its roof painted bright green. There was a long, covered porch shading the front door, which faced the main road--more of a broad path than a road, but so far from all of the kingdom's great cities, it knew of no finer road, and it was justly proud of itself.
On the edge of the porch, an older man was sitting, leaning back against one of the supporting posts, his legs splayed. His skin was brown, lined at the corners of his dark eyes and his mouth. His thick gray hair was wild, and his eyebrows quite possibly even more so, as they had a startlingly high arch. He yawned and ran a hand through his hair, but this touch didn't seem to affect it in the least. However, as if he had accomplished something, the man smiled to himself, then stretched like a cat, arching his back with another yawn. This done, he turned his head back towards the door. "What are you doing in there?"
Another man appeared in the open doorway, bearing a wooden tray, a scowl turning his mouth down at the corners. "I was making us lunch. In case you've forgotten." He was about the same age as his companion. His hair was white, rather than the other's gray, and far more obedient: he had tied it up neatly in the back. His complexion was fair, his eyes golden. He had a handsome, dignified face, but one side of it was marred by thick scar tissue, an old burn that nearly swallowed up his left eye. However, the scar did not detract from his dignity. In a way, it seemed to add to it: an injury worn well.
"I didn't forget. It was a rhetorical question," said the first man with a grin.
"No, it wasn't, Jet. You were being impatient as usual."
Jet, without rising, reached out for the tray with both hands.
"Yes. Here you are." The other man leaned down to carefully hand him the tray. It was laden with dumplings and balls of glutinous rice wrapped in greens. "But half of those are for me."
"Of course they are," said Jet, shoving a dumpling into his mouth.
The other man remained standing, eyes narrowing. "Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked slowly, dangerously.
Jet blinked. "Thank you?" he asked, the words only barely audible around his mouthful of food.
This seemed to satisfy the other man, who sat down beside him with a sigh. "You're welcome."
Jet swallowed. "It's really good, Li."
Li's lips twitched into a barely visible smile as he said stiffly, "I'm glad it was worth the wait."
Jet put the tray down on the porch between them, making a sweeping gesture with one hand. "Don't forget, half of these are for you."
"Yes, I know," said Li. He reached down to take a dumpling in one hand and bit into it, his other hand cupped under it to catch any crumbs.
"I like it better when it's your turn to cook," said Jet, swallowing another dumpling whole. He seemed almost able to unhinge his jaw, like a snakebird. Li eyed him dubiously, taking another small bite. "You're so much better at it than me."
"That's true," Li admitted.
Jet swallowed, then laughed. "A good cook and a modest one--I'm a lucky man."
"But you're getting better," Li added quickly.
"It only took me--what, thirty years?"
"Forty," Li corrected, automatically.
"Hmm, that's right." Jet inhaled another dumpling, then leaned back, looking thoughtful. "It has been that long, hasn't it?"
"That's right." Li was just finishing up his first dumpling. "Today it'll be exactly forty years."
Jet's eyes widened. "What? Really?"
"Since we officially founded the town, yes."
"Today?"
"Yes, Jet. That's what I said." Unaffected by this information, Li plucked a riceball from the tray and brought it to his lips.
"Well, why didn't you tell me?"
"I wasn't aware that I was supposed to," said Li calmly.
Jet's attention was torn between his desire for more dumplings and his interest in this new information. He wavered for a moment between possible actions, then settled on picking up a dumpling but holding it in his hand instead of eating it right away. "Do you know what that means?"
Li was about to bite into the riceball, but he hesitated. "No. What?"
"It's our anniversary!"
Li rolled his eyes and took a bite. "Don't be silly."
With his free hand, Jet reached out to grab the other man's wrist, pulling the riceball away from his mouth. Li glared at him. "No, I mean it," Jet said. "It's our anniversary. I should do something special for you."
Li pulled his wrist free of Jet's grasp easily and managed to bring his food to his mouth. He bit off a piece and ate it slowly and pointedly before saying, "I don't need anything special, that's fine. Eat your dumplings."
"Fine, I'll eat my dumplings." Jet tossed the one in his hand into his mouth and made a show of chewing it, for once. He swallowed, noisily. "See? I'm a good boy."
"That's debatable," said Li.
Jet considered the tray of dumplings, then the man beside him. With an inescapably quick movement, he leaned in to press a kiss to Li's cheek, then pulled back just as quickly, before incurring any penalties. Li snorted, but he didn't protest, simply glancing away and taking another bite of his rice.
"There," said Jet. "That's your first anniversary present."
"Thank you," muttered Li. He finished his riceball, but didn't take another, instead looking down at the ground. They were both seated on the edge of the porch, and it was low enough that their feet touched the earth. "But I said I don't need anything special."
"It's just a kiss." Jet put a hand on his shoulder, and when Li didn't say anything else, he asked. "Hey, are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Jet laughed, softly. "Spending forty years here with me can't have been that bad."
"No." Li frowned down at the ground. The soil of the forest was rich and dark. "It isn't that."
"What is it, then?"
Li seemed to be about to say something, but instead, he shook his head, blowing air through his teeth, making a soft hissing sound. When he had first met Jet, he had been a taciturn young man, difficult to deal with and difficult to know. For a moment, he looked very like his younger self. Closed and unwilling to give away anything of himself. Whatever he was about to say, he thought better of it. "Nothing."
Jet wasn't willing to let it go. He kept his hand on Li's shoulder, firming his touch to a grasp. "You can tell me."
Li looked up at him. He wasn't his old self after all. His eyes were warm--almost hopeful. "I can?" His voice rose only slightly, the words half a question.
"Of course. You know me."
"I guess there is something I should tell you."
Jet smiled and leaned back, giving Li's shoulder a squeeze. "Tell me, then. I still know how to listen. I'm only half-deaf."
This earned him a small smile. "You're not deaf at all," said Li.
"No, not yet. But you never know. So make good use of my hearing, while I still have it, and tell me whatever you want." He gestured to the tray of food with his free hand. "Want to eat some more first?"
"No. I should probably just tell you."
"Go ahead."
Li looked away again. He put his hands in his lap and stared down at them, as if they were the ones he was attempting to communicate with. When he spoke, he spoke to them. "I know it's been a long time, but I--I haven't been entirely honest with you, Jet."
"Oh? " Jet drew his hand away, crossing his legs at the ankles, although he was still regarding the other man attentively, a faint, expectant smile on his face. "I see. This must be important. You've got your serious face on."
"Jet." Li exhaled sharply. "Don't joke."
"All right, all right, no joking, I promise. Since this is honesty time, I'll just listen."
"Good." Li pursed his lips, then took a breath. "Do you remember when we met?"
Jet's laughter was low. "How could I ever forget the ferry? You looked so beautiful, scowling in the sunlight as you threw your food over the side--"
"Jet." Li interrupted him before he could go on. "You said no jokes."
Jet's face was the picture of innocence. "That wasn't a joke. I was reminiscing."
"Please don't reminisce, either."
Jet bowed his head. "Whatever you say, beautiful."
Li narrowed his eyes at Jet as if suspecting he was on the verge of telling more jokes. "Just--let me talk. please. This is difficult for me."
Instead of saying anything else, Jet nodded, so as not to be accused of levity or further reminiscences. He sat still and quiet as Li continued to speak, the dumplings at his side forgotten.
"I told you that my uncle and I were refugees. And we were, but not in the way that I said." Li clasped his hands tightly. His face was red. "We were from the Fire Nation." He glanced over at Jet, but Jet remained motionless and speechless, watching him with dark eyes, his expression unreadable. "I--I meant to tell you," Li went on quickly. "But you'd told me how you hated the Fire Nation, and it didn't seem like a wise idea at the time. And then once the city was invaded, we were too busy fighting, and then..." He trailed off, expectantly, and when Jet didn't say anything, he added, "Then I suppose I never did. Obviously."
Li paused and waited again, but Jet didn't say anything. Li swallowed. "Well?"
"Is that all?" asked Jet, his voice low.
"What?"
"Is that all you have to tell me?"
"No."
"Then go on."
Li opened his mouth to go on, then scowled. "I feel ridiculous. This is--aren't you going to say anything, Jet?"
The other man's expression remained neutral. "When you're finished." He shifted where he sat, uncrossing his ankles, the space between his legs widening. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the tops of his thighs. "I said, go on."
The town remained sleepy, drowsing through this summer afternoon. Li looked a little worried, clenching his jaw, but he nodded nonetheless. "It feels odd to say it after so long. But my name was Zuko. I was the prince, before I was exiled."
"The prince?"
"Yes." Li frowned. "Of the Fire Nation."
Jet straightened, then rose to his feet, folding his arms behind his back. Li's eyes widened. Jet tilted his head back, gazing up towards the distant tops of the trees. When he'd been a younger man, he'd found it no hard task to climb those trees, using his hook swords to grapple his way up. It had been easy for him to leap from branch to branch--a little like flying. Now his hook swords were in the house, probably behind a chair or maybe lying under the bed, wherever he had left them that day. He was still more than capable of using the swords, and he gave lessons in the mornings, but these days, he only climbed trees when it was necessary, unless he was in an exceptionally good mood, which did not seem to be the case at the moment. There was tension in his shoulders. His stillness was complete.
"Jet?" asked Li, his voice rising slightly. "Say something."
"You said to listen."
"But I'm done now."
Jet turned around. He was frowning. "Well, let me see it."
Li gave a start. He was still seated on the edge of the porch, his palms flat against its smooth wooden surface. His own swords were inside as well, but he knew exactly where they were, as he always did: in their proper place, polished clean and sheathed, hanging in the bedroom. He and Jet had often sparred together over the years--almost every day--but only for practice, never in earnest. Li's hands clenched. "What?"
"If you're the famous lost Prince Zuko, you can Firebend, can't you?"
"Yes, of course I can Firebend," Li snapped, surprise rather than anger sharpening his tone.
"So--" Jet put his hands on his hips, the majority of his weight shifting to one foot. "Prove it. Let me see it."
"Fine." Li got to his feet, glaring at Jet, his hands still clenched. They faced each other in the middle of the dirt track that ran through the village. The children playing in the woods must have moved farther away, for their laughter was no longer audible. Li took a deep breath, and then with a sudden movement sank into a Firebending stance, his arm shooting out. He exhaled sharply, and a brief but bright blast of flame sprang from his hand, away down the road. It was brilliantly harmless, dying away before it touched anything. Once it was gone, Li slid smoothly out of his stance and turned to Jet, his gaze defiant.
His defiance shortly faltered, giving way to confusion. Jet was grinning at him. Li stared at the other man, astounded, lips parting and eyes widening as Jet began to laugh.
"What is it?" Li demanded. "What's so funny?"
Jet was laughing so hard that it took him a few moments before he managed to speak through his laughter. "We founded this town forty years ago. I knew you for ten years before that. It took you that long to tell me?"
"Of course," said Li, still openmouthed. "I--you hate Firebenders, Jet."
At this, Jet stopped laughing, his mouth settling into a crooked smile. He shook his head, taking a step towards the other man. "I was wondering how long it was going to take you, but fifty years? I thought twenty, at most. I gave up after thirty."
Li stared. "You--"
Jet took another step. "I what?"
Li's voice was hoarse with disbelief. "You already knew."
Jet's next step brought the two of them face to face. "Li," he said. "After the war ended and everything started to settle down, and the Fire Nation started looking for its prince--do you think I didn't notice how the portraits of him all looked exactly like you?" He reached up, his fingertips brushing Li's scar. Li didn't move away. "Except for the hair, I guess." His fingers slid up over the scar into Li's white hair.
Li frowned, but he allowed the touch. "But--you didn't--"
Jet anticipated the end of Li's sentence. "It's not that I didn't think about killing you," he went on, "Because I did."
"Jet!"
"What?" Jet smiled. "It was so many years ago. I was still just a kid. Anyway, by the time I figured it out, it had already been more than a year. We'd already become friends. Already fought the Rough Rhinos together, saved each other's necks a few times, shared a bed--"
"Jet."
"So, though I kept telling myself I should kill you, I kept thinking of reasons to put it off. First I told myself I was waiting for the perfect moment, but it never came. Then I figured that it would have been easiest to kill you in your sleep. But you looked so cute when you were sleeping."
The line between Li's eyebrows deepened. "I'd rather you stop talking about your plans to kill me."
Jet held his hands up. "I was only planning to kill you for a year or so."
"Thank you," said Li flatly. "I'm flattered."
Jet took hold of Li's wrist and retreated to the porch, drawing Li along with him. "Remember those awful stories you used to tell me? 'What was your village called?' I asked you. And all you could say was, 'It didn't have a name.'" Jet chuckled at the memory. "But I think my favorite thing you used to say was 'I can't talk about it.' And you'd get that stubborn look on your face, and then I just had to kiss you." He smiled as he returned to his seat on the edge of the porch. He tugged gently on Li's hand, indicating that he should sit as well, but Li remained stubbornly upright.
"What's wrong?" Jet asked, letting go of his wrist.
Li's eyes were bright. "You knew. All this time."
"Yes, that's right."
"And you didn't tell me?"
Jet's smile didn't fade, but it lessened. "I figured you'd tell me in your own time. I just didn't realize it would be such a long, long time."
"Who else knows?"
"Oh--" Jet looked a bit sheepish. "Uh, well, Smellerbee. And Longshot. And their kids. And--"
Li's interruption was terse. "Everyone knows, don't they?"
Jet hesitated, with a twitch of his lips. "No, not everyone."
"For years--decades--everyone knew, and no one said anything?"
"I told you. We wanted you to tell us in your own time. And your uncle said--"
"My uncle? You talked to my uncle? He came here? When was this?"
Jet didn't answer the question. "He said you would tell us when you were ready."
Li made a frustrated noise. "I can't believe you've been lying to me all this time."
"Me?" Jet's eyebrows rose. "It took you fifty years to tell me you were a Firebender!"
"That's different! I thought you were going to kill me!"
"Kill you? After sleeping with you for most of my life? Is that really what you think of me?"
"Yes, and it turns out I was right!"
"I told you, that was only for a year, and I didn't kill you, even though I had plenty of opportunities."
"Thank you, Jet, that makes me feel a lot better."
Jet folded his arms over his chest. "I can see you still don't trust me."
Li scowled, threw up his arms in a gesture of wordless irritation, then plopped himself down beside Jet with a sigh. "Don't be ridiculous." He glowered at Jet briefly, then looked away. "That isn't it at all." He was frowning, but his eyes were soft, as with sadness rather than anger.
After a few moments of silence, Jet cleared his throat. "It's all right." The cheerfulness in his voice was slightly forced. "Hey, you don't have to sneak off to practice your Firebending anymore--that's good, right?"
"You knew about that too," said Li quietly. It was a statement, not a question.
"Yeah, I figured it out. And those times you went away without telling me where--you went back home, didn't you?"
"I can't believe you didn't say anything," Li murmured, lowering his head.
"I know, it's surprising, since I usually talk so much."
"Don't try to make light of it."
Jet closed his eyes. He took a few slow breaths, listening to the low buzz of the beeflies, the breeze in the trees. When he opened his eyes, he put a hand on Li's knee. "Why not? It doesn't matter so much anymore, does it?"
"I don't know," said Li, crossly.
"Are you mad that I figured it out?"
"No." Irritation did not so much creep into Li's voice as resurface.
"Don't worry. Nobody but me could have figured it out. You're still the stealthiest boy I know."
Li made a noncommittal noise.
Jet leaned in closer. "You want to know how I really figured it out?"
Li looked up, but only for the pleasure of narrowing his eyes at Jet. "No," he said firmly.
"I know you wanna." Jet's breath stirred Li's hair. "Go on, ask me."
"All right, Jet," said Li, with exaggerated diction. "How did you really figure it out?"
"It was because you kept the bed so warm."
"That's very funny, Jet," said Li, unamused.
"Can't you smile for me?" Jet asked him.
"No."
"Firebenders don't smile?"
That remark earned Jet an outright glare.
"Sorry, sorry." Jet said, raising his hands in mock alarm. "Don't hurt me."
Li's gaze softened again. "I wouldn't hurt you, Jet."
Jet's hands came down. "I know. Of course you wouldn't. Who would you cook for, if you did?"
Li rolled his eyes. "Maybe I could eat a meal in peace, for once."
"You can't fool me," said Jet. "You don't like peace and quiet. You'd get bored by it. That's why you like me so much."
"Who said I like you?"
Jet raised his eyebrows, giving Li a fond, knowing look. "Oh--someone might have mentioned it. Repeatedly. On several occasions."
"Well, it wasn't me."
"Who was it, then? Prince Zuko?"
Li's response was immediate and heated. "Don't call me that."
Jet cocked his head to one side, smiling as if he wanted to laugh again. "Why not?"
Li hesitated, as if he wasn't quite sure of the answer. After a moment's reflection, he said slowly, "I'm used to Li. And I'm not a prince anymore. Like you said, that was a long time ago."
"That's good. I don't want to have to start calling you 'your highness'. Or 'your majesty'."
Li's eyes widened in horror. "Don't."
"I promise," said Jet, but the grin on his face was more than a little mischievous, and he leaned in to add, "Your majesty."
"I said, don't. You'll make me regret ever telling you."
"But I've been waiting for almost fifty years," Jet protested. "It's unfair of you to cut me off right away."
Li grunted, unimpressed by the injustice of Jet's long wait. He frowned, but this frown was more thoughtful than distressed. His gaze alighted upon the forgotten tray of food, and he brightened slightly as he took it up, the furrow between his eyebrows lessening in severity to a degree. "Here. You didn't finish."
"I am hungry," Jet admitted, distracted from his teasing by the yet-plentiful array of dumplings and riceballs. "Do you think they're too cold to eat?"
"No, they're fine."
Jet took one and bit into it hesitantly, but when Li's words proved true, he ate the rest of it with relish. "You're right."
Li simply nodded.
Jet took a riceball and ate it as eagerly as he had consumed the dumpling. "Don't think this means I like the Fire Nation now," he said, in a conversational tone. "Because I don't."
"I know, Jet," Li replied. "Have another." He picked one up and handed it to Jet, but instead of taking it with his hand, Jet leaned in and took it in his mouth. As usual, he swallowed it whole, then he kissed Li's fingertips. Then he kissed Li's mouth.
"I made an exception, that's all," said Jet, much as he must have told himself so many years ago.
"I know, Jet," said Li.
"Just one."
"I know." Li kissed him back.
Ha ha, special thanks to
armistice_day for participating in the silly conversation that spawned this idea.And
ali_wildgoose was nice enough to draw a little illustration for the fic, so I'll post it here. (She also suggested that I add more kissing, and I did my best!) Awwwwwwwwww.
Title: The One Exception
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender (AU)
Pairing: Jet/Zuko
Wordcount: 4,100
Spoilers: N/A
Rating: All Ages
Notes: In this alternate universe, Jet never saw Iroh Firebend his tea, so he didn't fight Zuko in the teashop, was not captured by the Dai Li, and did not die. Katara never saw Zuko at the Jasmine Dragon, so Azula didn't realize he was there, and Zuko never joined Azula. Instead, when Ba Sing Se was invaded, Zuko joined forces with Jet. And now--it's fifty years later.
The One Exception.
It was an ideal summer afternoon, warm and drowsy, the leaves a deep green and the golden sunlight filtering through them, dappling the forest floor. In the clearing, bright-winged beeflies fluttered from flower to flower; the low drone of their buzzing was almost musical. They floated through the village, enlivening its green and brown houses with touches of blue and red and gold.
The Earth Kingdom village of Zi You was a relatively recent settlement; it had been founded about ten years after the war. At first, it had been little more than a collection of wooden platforms balanced on the wide branches of the trees, roofed with makeshift canopies of woven vines and branches and scavenged bits of other villages that had not survived the war. But with the passing years, Zi You had grown--both across and down. Although some of the residents still lived in the trees, in homes that were more safely constructed than those early structures, there were now buildings on the ground as well, for older denizens or those who simply would rather live with their feet on the ground.
Children were playing among the trees somewhere; their laughter drifting on a breeze. But the village itself was sleepy and quiet. It seemed its inhabitants were either busy at work or play elsewhere, or else they were availing themselves of the peaceful day and enjoying their afternoon naps.
That was not to say that the village was empty.
The largest house in the settlement was near the center. It was built of dark wood, its roof painted bright green. There was a long, covered porch shading the front door, which faced the main road--more of a broad path than a road, but so far from all of the kingdom's great cities, it knew of no finer road, and it was justly proud of itself.
On the edge of the porch, an older man was sitting, leaning back against one of the supporting posts, his legs splayed. His skin was brown, lined at the corners of his dark eyes and his mouth. His thick gray hair was wild, and his eyebrows quite possibly even more so, as they had a startlingly high arch. He yawned and ran a hand through his hair, but this touch didn't seem to affect it in the least. However, as if he had accomplished something, the man smiled to himself, then stretched like a cat, arching his back with another yawn. This done, he turned his head back towards the door. "What are you doing in there?"
Another man appeared in the open doorway, bearing a wooden tray, a scowl turning his mouth down at the corners. "I was making us lunch. In case you've forgotten." He was about the same age as his companion. His hair was white, rather than the other's gray, and far more obedient: he had tied it up neatly in the back. His complexion was fair, his eyes golden. He had a handsome, dignified face, but one side of it was marred by thick scar tissue, an old burn that nearly swallowed up his left eye. However, the scar did not detract from his dignity. In a way, it seemed to add to it: an injury worn well.
"I didn't forget. It was a rhetorical question," said the first man with a grin.
"No, it wasn't, Jet. You were being impatient as usual."
Jet, without rising, reached out for the tray with both hands.
"Yes. Here you are." The other man leaned down to carefully hand him the tray. It was laden with dumplings and balls of glutinous rice wrapped in greens. "But half of those are for me."
"Of course they are," said Jet, shoving a dumpling into his mouth.
The other man remained standing, eyes narrowing. "Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked slowly, dangerously.
Jet blinked. "Thank you?" he asked, the words only barely audible around his mouthful of food.
This seemed to satisfy the other man, who sat down beside him with a sigh. "You're welcome."
Jet swallowed. "It's really good, Li."
Li's lips twitched into a barely visible smile as he said stiffly, "I'm glad it was worth the wait."
Jet put the tray down on the porch between them, making a sweeping gesture with one hand. "Don't forget, half of these are for you."
"Yes, I know," said Li. He reached down to take a dumpling in one hand and bit into it, his other hand cupped under it to catch any crumbs.
"I like it better when it's your turn to cook," said Jet, swallowing another dumpling whole. He seemed almost able to unhinge his jaw, like a snakebird. Li eyed him dubiously, taking another small bite. "You're so much better at it than me."
"That's true," Li admitted.
Jet swallowed, then laughed. "A good cook and a modest one--I'm a lucky man."
"But you're getting better," Li added quickly.
"It only took me--what, thirty years?"
"Forty," Li corrected, automatically.
"Hmm, that's right." Jet inhaled another dumpling, then leaned back, looking thoughtful. "It has been that long, hasn't it?"
"That's right." Li was just finishing up his first dumpling. "Today it'll be exactly forty years."
Jet's eyes widened. "What? Really?"
"Since we officially founded the town, yes."
"Today?"
"Yes, Jet. That's what I said." Unaffected by this information, Li plucked a riceball from the tray and brought it to his lips.
"Well, why didn't you tell me?"
"I wasn't aware that I was supposed to," said Li calmly.
Jet's attention was torn between his desire for more dumplings and his interest in this new information. He wavered for a moment between possible actions, then settled on picking up a dumpling but holding it in his hand instead of eating it right away. "Do you know what that means?"
Li was about to bite into the riceball, but he hesitated. "No. What?"
"It's our anniversary!"
Li rolled his eyes and took a bite. "Don't be silly."
With his free hand, Jet reached out to grab the other man's wrist, pulling the riceball away from his mouth. Li glared at him. "No, I mean it," Jet said. "It's our anniversary. I should do something special for you."
Li pulled his wrist free of Jet's grasp easily and managed to bring his food to his mouth. He bit off a piece and ate it slowly and pointedly before saying, "I don't need anything special, that's fine. Eat your dumplings."
"Fine, I'll eat my dumplings." Jet tossed the one in his hand into his mouth and made a show of chewing it, for once. He swallowed, noisily. "See? I'm a good boy."
"That's debatable," said Li.
Jet considered the tray of dumplings, then the man beside him. With an inescapably quick movement, he leaned in to press a kiss to Li's cheek, then pulled back just as quickly, before incurring any penalties. Li snorted, but he didn't protest, simply glancing away and taking another bite of his rice.
"There," said Jet. "That's your first anniversary present."
"Thank you," muttered Li. He finished his riceball, but didn't take another, instead looking down at the ground. They were both seated on the edge of the porch, and it was low enough that their feet touched the earth. "But I said I don't need anything special."
"It's just a kiss." Jet put a hand on his shoulder, and when Li didn't say anything else, he asked. "Hey, are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Jet laughed, softly. "Spending forty years here with me can't have been that bad."
"No." Li frowned down at the ground. The soil of the forest was rich and dark. "It isn't that."
"What is it, then?"
Li seemed to be about to say something, but instead, he shook his head, blowing air through his teeth, making a soft hissing sound. When he had first met Jet, he had been a taciturn young man, difficult to deal with and difficult to know. For a moment, he looked very like his younger self. Closed and unwilling to give away anything of himself. Whatever he was about to say, he thought better of it. "Nothing."
Jet wasn't willing to let it go. He kept his hand on Li's shoulder, firming his touch to a grasp. "You can tell me."
Li looked up at him. He wasn't his old self after all. His eyes were warm--almost hopeful. "I can?" His voice rose only slightly, the words half a question.
"Of course. You know me."
"I guess there is something I should tell you."
Jet smiled and leaned back, giving Li's shoulder a squeeze. "Tell me, then. I still know how to listen. I'm only half-deaf."
This earned him a small smile. "You're not deaf at all," said Li.
"No, not yet. But you never know. So make good use of my hearing, while I still have it, and tell me whatever you want." He gestured to the tray of food with his free hand. "Want to eat some more first?"
"No. I should probably just tell you."
"Go ahead."
Li looked away again. He put his hands in his lap and stared down at them, as if they were the ones he was attempting to communicate with. When he spoke, he spoke to them. "I know it's been a long time, but I--I haven't been entirely honest with you, Jet."
"Oh? " Jet drew his hand away, crossing his legs at the ankles, although he was still regarding the other man attentively, a faint, expectant smile on his face. "I see. This must be important. You've got your serious face on."
"Jet." Li exhaled sharply. "Don't joke."
"All right, all right, no joking, I promise. Since this is honesty time, I'll just listen."
"Good." Li pursed his lips, then took a breath. "Do you remember when we met?"
Jet's laughter was low. "How could I ever forget the ferry? You looked so beautiful, scowling in the sunlight as you threw your food over the side--"
"Jet." Li interrupted him before he could go on. "You said no jokes."
Jet's face was the picture of innocence. "That wasn't a joke. I was reminiscing."
"Please don't reminisce, either."
Jet bowed his head. "Whatever you say, beautiful."
Li narrowed his eyes at Jet as if suspecting he was on the verge of telling more jokes. "Just--let me talk. please. This is difficult for me."
Instead of saying anything else, Jet nodded, so as not to be accused of levity or further reminiscences. He sat still and quiet as Li continued to speak, the dumplings at his side forgotten.
"I told you that my uncle and I were refugees. And we were, but not in the way that I said." Li clasped his hands tightly. His face was red. "We were from the Fire Nation." He glanced over at Jet, but Jet remained motionless and speechless, watching him with dark eyes, his expression unreadable. "I--I meant to tell you," Li went on quickly. "But you'd told me how you hated the Fire Nation, and it didn't seem like a wise idea at the time. And then once the city was invaded, we were too busy fighting, and then..." He trailed off, expectantly, and when Jet didn't say anything, he added, "Then I suppose I never did. Obviously."
Li paused and waited again, but Jet didn't say anything. Li swallowed. "Well?"
"Is that all?" asked Jet, his voice low.
"What?"
"Is that all you have to tell me?"
"No."
"Then go on."
Li opened his mouth to go on, then scowled. "I feel ridiculous. This is--aren't you going to say anything, Jet?"
The other man's expression remained neutral. "When you're finished." He shifted where he sat, uncrossing his ankles, the space between his legs widening. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the tops of his thighs. "I said, go on."
The town remained sleepy, drowsing through this summer afternoon. Li looked a little worried, clenching his jaw, but he nodded nonetheless. "It feels odd to say it after so long. But my name was Zuko. I was the prince, before I was exiled."
"The prince?"
"Yes." Li frowned. "Of the Fire Nation."
Jet straightened, then rose to his feet, folding his arms behind his back. Li's eyes widened. Jet tilted his head back, gazing up towards the distant tops of the trees. When he'd been a younger man, he'd found it no hard task to climb those trees, using his hook swords to grapple his way up. It had been easy for him to leap from branch to branch--a little like flying. Now his hook swords were in the house, probably behind a chair or maybe lying under the bed, wherever he had left them that day. He was still more than capable of using the swords, and he gave lessons in the mornings, but these days, he only climbed trees when it was necessary, unless he was in an exceptionally good mood, which did not seem to be the case at the moment. There was tension in his shoulders. His stillness was complete.
"Jet?" asked Li, his voice rising slightly. "Say something."
"You said to listen."
"But I'm done now."
Jet turned around. He was frowning. "Well, let me see it."
Li gave a start. He was still seated on the edge of the porch, his palms flat against its smooth wooden surface. His own swords were inside as well, but he knew exactly where they were, as he always did: in their proper place, polished clean and sheathed, hanging in the bedroom. He and Jet had often sparred together over the years--almost every day--but only for practice, never in earnest. Li's hands clenched. "What?"
"If you're the famous lost Prince Zuko, you can Firebend, can't you?"
"Yes, of course I can Firebend," Li snapped, surprise rather than anger sharpening his tone.
"So--" Jet put his hands on his hips, the majority of his weight shifting to one foot. "Prove it. Let me see it."
"Fine." Li got to his feet, glaring at Jet, his hands still clenched. They faced each other in the middle of the dirt track that ran through the village. The children playing in the woods must have moved farther away, for their laughter was no longer audible. Li took a deep breath, and then with a sudden movement sank into a Firebending stance, his arm shooting out. He exhaled sharply, and a brief but bright blast of flame sprang from his hand, away down the road. It was brilliantly harmless, dying away before it touched anything. Once it was gone, Li slid smoothly out of his stance and turned to Jet, his gaze defiant.
His defiance shortly faltered, giving way to confusion. Jet was grinning at him. Li stared at the other man, astounded, lips parting and eyes widening as Jet began to laugh.
"What is it?" Li demanded. "What's so funny?"
Jet was laughing so hard that it took him a few moments before he managed to speak through his laughter. "We founded this town forty years ago. I knew you for ten years before that. It took you that long to tell me?"
"Of course," said Li, still openmouthed. "I--you hate Firebenders, Jet."
At this, Jet stopped laughing, his mouth settling into a crooked smile. He shook his head, taking a step towards the other man. "I was wondering how long it was going to take you, but fifty years? I thought twenty, at most. I gave up after thirty."
Li stared. "You--"
Jet took another step. "I what?"
Li's voice was hoarse with disbelief. "You already knew."
Jet's next step brought the two of them face to face. "Li," he said. "After the war ended and everything started to settle down, and the Fire Nation started looking for its prince--do you think I didn't notice how the portraits of him all looked exactly like you?" He reached up, his fingertips brushing Li's scar. Li didn't move away. "Except for the hair, I guess." His fingers slid up over the scar into Li's white hair.
Li frowned, but he allowed the touch. "But--you didn't--"
Jet anticipated the end of Li's sentence. "It's not that I didn't think about killing you," he went on, "Because I did."
"Jet!"
"What?" Jet smiled. "It was so many years ago. I was still just a kid. Anyway, by the time I figured it out, it had already been more than a year. We'd already become friends. Already fought the Rough Rhinos together, saved each other's necks a few times, shared a bed--"
"Jet."
"So, though I kept telling myself I should kill you, I kept thinking of reasons to put it off. First I told myself I was waiting for the perfect moment, but it never came. Then I figured that it would have been easiest to kill you in your sleep. But you looked so cute when you were sleeping."
The line between Li's eyebrows deepened. "I'd rather you stop talking about your plans to kill me."
Jet held his hands up. "I was only planning to kill you for a year or so."
"Thank you," said Li flatly. "I'm flattered."
Jet took hold of Li's wrist and retreated to the porch, drawing Li along with him. "Remember those awful stories you used to tell me? 'What was your village called?' I asked you. And all you could say was, 'It didn't have a name.'" Jet chuckled at the memory. "But I think my favorite thing you used to say was 'I can't talk about it.' And you'd get that stubborn look on your face, and then I just had to kiss you." He smiled as he returned to his seat on the edge of the porch. He tugged gently on Li's hand, indicating that he should sit as well, but Li remained stubbornly upright.
"What's wrong?" Jet asked, letting go of his wrist.
Li's eyes were bright. "You knew. All this time."
"Yes, that's right."
"And you didn't tell me?"
Jet's smile didn't fade, but it lessened. "I figured you'd tell me in your own time. I just didn't realize it would be such a long, long time."
"Who else knows?"
"Oh--" Jet looked a bit sheepish. "Uh, well, Smellerbee. And Longshot. And their kids. And--"
Li's interruption was terse. "Everyone knows, don't they?"
Jet hesitated, with a twitch of his lips. "No, not everyone."
"For years--decades--everyone knew, and no one said anything?"
"I told you. We wanted you to tell us in your own time. And your uncle said--"
"My uncle? You talked to my uncle? He came here? When was this?"
Jet didn't answer the question. "He said you would tell us when you were ready."
Li made a frustrated noise. "I can't believe you've been lying to me all this time."
"Me?" Jet's eyebrows rose. "It took you fifty years to tell me you were a Firebender!"
"That's different! I thought you were going to kill me!"
"Kill you? After sleeping with you for most of my life? Is that really what you think of me?"
"Yes, and it turns out I was right!"
"I told you, that was only for a year, and I didn't kill you, even though I had plenty of opportunities."
"Thank you, Jet, that makes me feel a lot better."
Jet folded his arms over his chest. "I can see you still don't trust me."
Li scowled, threw up his arms in a gesture of wordless irritation, then plopped himself down beside Jet with a sigh. "Don't be ridiculous." He glowered at Jet briefly, then looked away. "That isn't it at all." He was frowning, but his eyes were soft, as with sadness rather than anger.
After a few moments of silence, Jet cleared his throat. "It's all right." The cheerfulness in his voice was slightly forced. "Hey, you don't have to sneak off to practice your Firebending anymore--that's good, right?"
"You knew about that too," said Li quietly. It was a statement, not a question.
"Yeah, I figured it out. And those times you went away without telling me where--you went back home, didn't you?"
"I can't believe you didn't say anything," Li murmured, lowering his head.
"I know, it's surprising, since I usually talk so much."
"Don't try to make light of it."
Jet closed his eyes. He took a few slow breaths, listening to the low buzz of the beeflies, the breeze in the trees. When he opened his eyes, he put a hand on Li's knee. "Why not? It doesn't matter so much anymore, does it?"
"I don't know," said Li, crossly.
"Are you mad that I figured it out?"
"No." Irritation did not so much creep into Li's voice as resurface.
"Don't worry. Nobody but me could have figured it out. You're still the stealthiest boy I know."
Li made a noncommittal noise.
Jet leaned in closer. "You want to know how I really figured it out?"
Li looked up, but only for the pleasure of narrowing his eyes at Jet. "No," he said firmly.
"I know you wanna." Jet's breath stirred Li's hair. "Go on, ask me."
"All right, Jet," said Li, with exaggerated diction. "How did you really figure it out?"
"It was because you kept the bed so warm."
"That's very funny, Jet," said Li, unamused.
"Can't you smile for me?" Jet asked him.
"No."
"Firebenders don't smile?"
That remark earned Jet an outright glare.
"Sorry, sorry." Jet said, raising his hands in mock alarm. "Don't hurt me."
Li's gaze softened again. "I wouldn't hurt you, Jet."
Jet's hands came down. "I know. Of course you wouldn't. Who would you cook for, if you did?"
Li rolled his eyes. "Maybe I could eat a meal in peace, for once."
"You can't fool me," said Jet. "You don't like peace and quiet. You'd get bored by it. That's why you like me so much."
"Who said I like you?"
Jet raised his eyebrows, giving Li a fond, knowing look. "Oh--someone might have mentioned it. Repeatedly. On several occasions."
"Well, it wasn't me."
"Who was it, then? Prince Zuko?"
Li's response was immediate and heated. "Don't call me that."
Jet cocked his head to one side, smiling as if he wanted to laugh again. "Why not?"
Li hesitated, as if he wasn't quite sure of the answer. After a moment's reflection, he said slowly, "I'm used to Li. And I'm not a prince anymore. Like you said, that was a long time ago."
"That's good. I don't want to have to start calling you 'your highness'. Or 'your majesty'."
Li's eyes widened in horror. "Don't."
"I promise," said Jet, but the grin on his face was more than a little mischievous, and he leaned in to add, "Your majesty."
"I said, don't. You'll make me regret ever telling you."
"But I've been waiting for almost fifty years," Jet protested. "It's unfair of you to cut me off right away."
Li grunted, unimpressed by the injustice of Jet's long wait. He frowned, but this frown was more thoughtful than distressed. His gaze alighted upon the forgotten tray of food, and he brightened slightly as he took it up, the furrow between his eyebrows lessening in severity to a degree. "Here. You didn't finish."
"I am hungry," Jet admitted, distracted from his teasing by the yet-plentiful array of dumplings and riceballs. "Do you think they're too cold to eat?"
"No, they're fine."
Jet took one and bit into it hesitantly, but when Li's words proved true, he ate the rest of it with relish. "You're right."
Li simply nodded.
Jet took a riceball and ate it as eagerly as he had consumed the dumpling. "Don't think this means I like the Fire Nation now," he said, in a conversational tone. "Because I don't."
"I know, Jet," Li replied. "Have another." He picked one up and handed it to Jet, but instead of taking it with his hand, Jet leaned in and took it in his mouth. As usual, he swallowed it whole, then he kissed Li's fingertips. Then he kissed Li's mouth.
"I made an exception, that's all," said Jet, much as he must have told himself so many years ago.
"I know, Jet," said Li.
"Just one."
"I know." Li kissed him back.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2008-03-11 08:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-11 09:44 pm (UTC)Cuteness was my main goal. :3
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Date: 2008-03-11 09:46 pm (UTC)"I know. Of course you wouldn't. Who would you cook for, if you didn't?" --- was that maybe supposed to be "if you did?"
ANYWAY
This continues to be pretty much the cutest thing ever in this history of cute things. <3 <3 <3
I really like the little changes you made! And the KISSING, because old man kissing is somehow EVEN MORE ADORABLE than boy kissing, and...seriously, the idea of their building a life together in the forests of the Earth Kingdom, teaching the kids how to fight and eating dumplings, is almost more than my poor heart can take!
Zuko has never fooled anyone ever -- one of the many reasons why we love him so!
AWWWWWW AND IT'S SO CUTE HOW JET KEPT PUTTING OFF KILLING HIM.
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY
<3
Date: 2008-03-11 09:56 pm (UTC)Yaaaaaay, I'm so glad you liked it! Ha ha ha, oh, the gratuitous cuteness. I couldn't resist. OLD MEN KISSING, YAY! Life partners! Yeah, they're the leaders of their commmunity. Awwwwww.
Thanks again for the illustration! I need to draw old man Jet and Zuko, too.
Yeah, in the end, I guess Zuko was JUST TOO ADORABLE AND LOVABLE TO KILL. Also, his ass was too hot to die.
Re: <3
Date: 2008-03-11 10:07 pm (UTC)*DIES AND DIES*
He's totallly getting lucky tonight, though. It IS their anniversary, after all. >;3
Re: <3
Date: 2008-03-11 10:33 pm (UTC)And also, I didn't mention it before, but I am very glad you approve of the extra kissing.
Re: <3
Date: 2008-03-11 10:35 pm (UTC)hahaha, now I want to draw vaguely naughty fanart.
(kisssssssiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing <3 <3 <3 <3)
Re: <3
Date: 2008-03-11 10:37 pm (UTC)KISSING RULES.
Ha ha, I bought boots today!
Re: <3
Date: 2008-03-11 10:42 pm (UTC)IT SO DOES
BOOTS!
I went to the fabric store around the corner. I have SUCH PLANS.
SUCH. PLANS.
Muahahahahahhahahahahahhaahahhahahaha.
Re: <3
Date: 2008-03-11 10:44 pm (UTC)Oh man, plans!?!
Re: <3
Date: 2008-03-11 10:55 pm (UTC)And it's like $4 a yard, which is NOTHING
*planplanplanplan*
no subject
Date: 2008-03-11 10:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-12 02:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-11 11:33 pm (UTC)Haha, seriously it just doesn't get better between two Old Gay Men than sweet domesticity, a little intrigue, and the likelihood (at least if Jet has his way) of afternoon delight.
I think it's the characterizations that get me most of all - not that "Li's" extreme(ly adorable) lack of stealth, and Jet not being quite clear on the whereabouts of his swords aren't enough. They're just so much themselves - you've aged them so well, pushed their selves forward just enough in just the right ways. ♥
Jet held his hands up. "I was only planning to kill you for a year or so."
"Thank you," said Li flatly. "I'm flattered."
Just smashingly, perfectly lovely.
LOL SNAKEBIRD
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Date: 2008-03-12 02:50 am (UTC)Yeah, just a year! That's not too much--only one-fiftieth of the time he knew him. I'm with Jet on that. ;3
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Date: 2008-03-12 02:56 am (UTC)hee heeeeeee
<3
But, I'm stealthy!
Date: 2008-03-12 03:54 am (UTC)Yeah, Li needs to let that go. It's not like he did anything about it.
Frankly, the notion of Super Secret Firebending Practice amuses me more than almost anything. LOLS
Worth the Wait ^.^
Date: 2008-03-12 02:13 am (UTC)Re: Worth the Wait ^.^
Date: 2008-03-12 02:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-12 03:09 am (UTC)old man cuteness <3
and zuko thinking he couldn't POSSIBLY be found out, silly man 8D
ALSO LOOOL I WAS GOING TO KILL YOU
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Date: 2008-03-12 03:16 am (UTC)NO BIGGIE.
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Date: 2008-03-12 03:21 am (UTC)NO NEED TO GET UPSET ABOUT IT.
AND THEN HE DIDN'T EVEN DO IT ANYWAY.
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Date: 2008-03-12 03:26 am (UTC)LI JUST NEEDS TO LEARN TO LET THE SMALL STUFF SLIDE, OBV.
LIKE JET.
JET WAS COMPLETELY REASONABLE ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.
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Date: 2008-03-12 03:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-12 04:19 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-12 03:23 am (UTC)BUT--BUT ZUKO HAD A COVER STORY AND EVERYTHING. HE WAS SO SURE IT HAD WORKED.
And you can't blame a man for just thinking about killing you!
<3
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Date: 2008-03-12 04:59 am (UTC)Lol, Zuko, I think we all know he's kinda slow, but 50 years?! Too funny...
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Date: 2008-03-12 05:37 pm (UTC)I really appreciate the comment! So thanks for taking the time to leave one. :)
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Date: 2008-03-12 05:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-12 05:51 am (UTC)<3
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Date: 2008-03-12 05:35 pm (UTC)Heh heh, you know you like it. ;3
Thank you! <3
no subject
Date: 2008-03-13 07:34 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-03-14 06:36 pm (UTC)And I hope I didn't get you in too much trouble! :D
<3
no subject
Date: 2008-03-30 04:54 pm (UTC)(I also love your art, btw.)
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Date: 2008-04-08 12:41 am (UTC)And I'm very pleased you like my art as well!
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Date: 2008-04-14 08:20 am (UTC)Gee Jet only a year? Gosh how dare Zuzu be a tinsy bit snrky?
THIS IS SO AWESOME MAN!!!LIKE DUDE...I HAVE NO BETTER WORDS!!! ENGLISH IS NOT SUSFICCENT!! DAMN LANGUAGE!!
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Date: 2008-07-28 01:18 am (UTC)♥! Kudos, chiclet.
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Date: 2008-12-10 11:51 pm (UTC)*goes and gushes over the cute*
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Date: 2009-12-13 03:33 pm (UTC)Jet bowed his head. "Whatever you say, beautiful." And this is so Jet that I could kiss you again.
I am in LOVE with this fic. I want to marry it and have its babies. Jet and Zuko are such an awesome old man couple. I love it. Lovelovelove it.