Laugh

Characters: Aang, Fem!Zuko.

Summary: In the Western Air Temple Aang gets Zuko to play with him.

Raiting: T

Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: last airbender. If i did there would be more things like this in the show.

Author: Psychotic-Midget-Fox

It was really depressing to be in the ex-princesses presence some times. Not because he was still mad at her for all the things she did to him in the past. It was because she never. Ever. Laughed. Sure she would smile from time to time, but they were more like a shy quirk of the lips. To be honest the thing that really bothered him about his fire bending teacher was her inability to cut lose and have fun. She didn't even join in on their 'pick on Sokka nights'!

That was his goal in mind at this current time. They had just finished today's lesson and were relaxing next to the fountain. Katara was with Sokka and Toph buying supplies and Haru, The Duke, and Teo were exploring the temple again. Zuko was using a wet cloth to wipe the seat from her face when he struck. While she had her back turned he formed a huge ball of water over her head and let it fall.

The surprised shriek she made woke up Momo and sent Aang into a fit of laughter. She turned wide eyes on him and the way her hair stuck to her face made him laugh even harder. He was so busy laughing that he didn't notice the sly glint in Zuko's eyes, or the bucket next to the fountain being filled. He did, however, notice the suddenly hot water being poured over him. Sputtering and coughing Aang looked at Zuko with surprise. She mirrored his expression and before he could say anything she took off running.

It didn't take him long to bolt after her, and he caught up with her in no time. He grabbed her arm and pulled her to a stop, turning her so she was facing him. He was very surprised to see her blushing and avoiding eye contact. He was about to say something to make her feel better when she cut him off.

"I'm sorry, that was a very irresponsible and childish thing for me to do."

So not expecting her to talk to him like a scolded child his response was a very dignified:

"Huh?"

She gave him a guilty look, on a small child would give their mother.

"Dumping water on you. It was childish and irresponsible, so I'm sorry."

He really felt like slapping himself (or Zuko), but settled for a long drawn out sigh. This wasn't going to go well, he could tell.

"You don't have to apologize, I did it to you first, to get you to have a little fun."

He felt complete and utter defeat curl up inside him at the blank look he received. This seriously wasn't happening, nobody is that sheltered. Wait, erase that, he could totally see the royal family as the 'no fun' type.

"You don't know how to have fun, do you?"

She immediately bristled at the question and was almost snarling when she answered. A vast improvement on her part.

"A princess does not have fun!"

Aang knew he was close to getting her in his trap, so he continued on. He just hoped he didn't get killed in the process.

"Then what, exactly, does a princess do in her childhood?"

She glared at him and crossed her arms (but it really looked more like a pout) and hissed her answer with all the venom of a viperlion. If it wasn't for the pout on her lips he would fear for his safety.

"I had lessons everyday on etiquette, different languages, writing, reading, and music. I was constantly being groomed and shown off to suitors; it didn't really leave a lot of time for play."

By the end of her little rant she was sulking, and it only made him more determined than ever. Wordlessly he grabbed her wrist, pulling her back in the direction of the fountain. She struggled a little, but followed out of curiosity more than anything. They reached the edge in just a few minutes and, ignoring her protests, he lifted her up (He may be small but he was strong darn it) and threw her into the fountain. She came back up; sputtering and hacking, utterly pissed (he was really starting to doubt his sanity and fear for his life again).

Zuko got up to retaliate, but an odd sensation around her sides stopped her, and she let out a surprised giggle. Aang was still on the other side of the fountain, but she knew by the grin on his face that he was the culprit. She tried to make her was over to the grinning airbender when the odd feeling returned, only stronger this time, and she laughed.

The attack lasted for a few minutes, and by the time it was over she was on her knees in the water breathless and panting, with Aang hovering beside her. She tried to glare at him, but every time she did he would tickle her again. In the end she gave up and collapsed against the fountains edge. Aang took the time to remember what her laugh sounded like, and etched it into his memory.

It was still raspy, like her voice, and he couldn't really describe it as 'bell like and tinkling', but there was still something very beautiful and appealing about it. He watched her catch her breath and a feeling of lightness formed in his chest. He had reduced this stubborn, prideful, broken girl to a giggling wet heap, and she looked absolutely stunning. He totally understood Sokka's crush on her now.

Once Zuko had caught her breath she allowed him to pull her to her feet, and help her out of the fountain. With some airbending mixed with a little heat from her fire they were both dry. He gave her an expectant look and she blushed, grumbling for several moments before turning a pouty face to him. His grin grew wider as he took in her expression and he put a hand to his ear to signal that he was waiting. Her pout grew, and Zuko crossed her arms in front of her, admitting defeat.

"Okay fine, I guess that was fun, are you satisfied now? Or was this all some ploy to see me humiliated?"

The only response she got was a tap on the nose and Aang yelling 'tag' before he ran off through the temple. She stood there in shock for a few minutes before grinning and running off after the young airbender, laughing. They chased each other for hours, laughing until their sides burned. She would catch him and he would catch her, but neither of them was giving up.

When the others returned from their various outings it was just before sunset, and they found Zuko and Aang cuddled up together taking a nap. When they woke up for dinner they didn't tell anybody what had happened, despite several desperate attempts from Sokka (who was slightly jealous of the little monk). It was their day of bonding, and it was only for them.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed my very first A:TLA fanfiction. It's short, probably horrible, and Zuko is OOC, but I liked it. This is the first in a series of Fem!Zuko stories that I plan on writing, so If you liked this there is more coming your way. Constructive criticism would be appreciated, but I love pretty much any kind of review, so please don't forget to. Also, Aang was tickling Zuko with some kinda mix of Airbending and Waterbending, pretend that it's possible.