Candrala: Obviously, I do not own Avatar.

Chapter 1: Tell Me That You're Better

Zuko crouched under bleachers, his tongue toying with the silver ring that looped through the middle of his bottom lip. He scrubbed his hands together, trying to cause some friction for heat as the grey skys looked down at him, threatening rain. He really hated rain.

He glanced up when Jet ducked under the bleachers his hands shoved in his pockets already shoveling out his pack of cigarettes and a lighter. "Hey beautiful," He beamed at Zuko, playfully, as he crouched down next to his companion. Smellerbee would be arriving shortly.

Zuko ignored his greeting, used to Jet's behavior. They had been friends since middle school. He knew the boy just liked to flirt. It didn't stop his cheeks from flushing slightly. "What took you so long? It's freezing out here!" Zuko pressed his icy fingers against Jet's cheek, as if he didn't know.

Jet chuckled, swatting away Zuko's hand as he blew a small cloud of smoke in the middle of him. "I got caught up with stupid tachers. They're trying to reign me in this year." Jet's nose scrunched up as he took a small drag of his cigaretter, the silver band on his thumb glinting gently, like he figured the teachers should have known better by now. Zuko just chuckled.

"So what's the plan for today?" Zuko asked, tugging his black hoodie a little closer to his body. He couldn't believe how miserably cold it was today. Winter had to be settling in soon.

Jet side glanced him, debating whether his should take off his leather jacket and offer it to Zuko as he flicked extra ash from the end of cigarette. He decided against it, remembering Smellerbee would be here soon. Jet looked towards the ground, his knuckles resting against his chin. "Nothing on the agenda today," he said, almost business like.

Zuko nodded, trying to create some warmth for his hands. He figured he wouldn't be invited along. Smellerbee and the rest of Jet's gang didn't really enjoy his company. They hadn't gotten used to his presence yet. Zuko had just transfered in to Crenshaw.

Granted, he had know Jet long before he meet Smellerbee, or Longshot or Pipsqueak, Zuko knew better than to interfer. He stood now, slightly hunched from the bleachers, and shoved his hands in his pockets. Jet reached up, gripping his sleeve. Zuko peered down at him, his golden eyes glittering with modest surprise.

Jet smiled a lame smile, one that said he wished Zuko could stay but at the sametime almost said he didn't mind Zuko was leaving. "I'll text you, promise."

Zuko just nodded as he was released. On his walk home, Zuko pondered over Jet's parting words. Why did he add the 'promise?'. Zuko didn't really care if Jet text him or not, they spent saturday's together, which happened to be tomorrow, so it seriously wasn't a big deal.

Still, Zuko felt his lips turn up at the fact Jet had even bothered to mention it at all.

Zuko entered his house, calling out that he was home. As he kicked off his shoes his uncle appeared from the kitchen, a wide grin on his typically cheerful face. "Ah, nephew! Welcome home! How was your day?"

Zuko nodded, dropping his bag right next to his shoes. "It was good, thank you." He spread out on the couch now, reaching for the remote. Iroh nodded happily, looking at his nephew. "Would you like a snack or some tea?"

"No thank you, uncle," Zuko murmured, rapt in the flashing colors before him as he changed the channel. He wondered on a side note, why his uncle had been so cheerful. He looked over towards Iroh now, showing earnest curiosity. "How was your day?"

Iroh's smile only got a little bigger, if that were possible, and a deep laugh echoed from his stomach. "It would seem I have a date tonight." Zuko blinked, trying to remember the last time his uncle had actually gone out with a woman. His brain hurt after a while.

Zuko smiled, returning his attention to the tv, twirling his tongue against his lip ring. "That's wonderful, uncle."

"I thought maybe you would like some company tonight, while I'm out," Iroh began. He realized his nephew got out often, but company was always a welcoming thing. "You have my permission to invite anyone over you might want to."

Zuko nodded his thanks, resting his chin against his palm as he settled on some stupid show on MTV. Maybe when Jet texted him, he would ask if the boy wanted to just start their saturday hang out early.

A few hours passed and Zuko still found himself sprawled on the couch watching television. When Iroh announced he was leaving for his date, after giving the typical run through of locking doors and answering phone calls only if they were numbers Zuko knew, he finally stuck with his word.

Zuko fished through his pocket, pulling out his cellphone. When he flipped it open he saw he had 2 new text messages. Why hadn't his phone buzzed? His eyebrow quirked with this question, as he opened up his inbox. They both were from Jet.

The first was a simple 'hey', the second a more questionable 'need some company beautiful'. Zuko shook his head at being called beautiful for the second time today. He clicked the middle button, telling his phone he wished to reply, and typed out. Hey. Come over. Uncle's out.

About 10 minutes later there was a knock on the front door. Zuko peeled himself from the couch, thinking about turning off the tv before deciding against it. He opened the door, trying to ignore the relief and excitement that clutched at his stomach with Jet standing there.

Jet smiled at him, a toothpick dangling between his lips. Zuko stepped aside, Jet stopping inside the doorway to kick off his shoes and tug off his leather jacket before continuing on his journey to Iroh's couch. Zuko didn't follow far behind him.

Jet spread his arms across the top of the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table as he stared blankly toward the television screen. "What is this crap?" He asked, pulling the toothpick out of his mouth.

Zuko sat beside him, grabbing the remote off of the coffee table and offering it to Jet. "Here, I don't care what you put on." He settled back against the couch, ignoring the ruffling of his hair that signaled Jet's approval. "So... What did you guys do today?" Zuko asked, curiosly.

Jet peered down at the remote, glancing from it to the tv channels as they flashed inside the slowly darkening room. He shrugged, "Smellerbee needed a lighter and I needed some more smokes."

Zuko somehow knew this wasn't the complete truth but he settled for it. He had learn over the course of their friendship to settle with Jet decided to tell him and not ask questions. It was just easier that way. It made Jet seem more... normal.

Jet lowered his hand to Zuko's shoulder, pushing at his friend lightly. Zuko fell into him, curling up next to him and resting his hand on Jet's chest. He looked up, not really surprised by this show of affection.

Jet looked down at him and smiled, the toothpick back between his lips. "You'll know it all someday, kid, promise." The way Zuko said that, it made him feel like he suddenly didn't want to know it all. He enjoyed being casted into the dark from time to time. Jet was making lots of promises lately.

Promises Zuko didn't think would be kept.

Candrala: A slow start. It will pick up soon, kids, promise.