Title: Attention

Summary: Sometimes, Aang would wait for his tea to turn cold just to ask Zuko to warm it up for him again.

Words: 459

Disclaimer: Avatar not owned by me

Warning: slash; written on impulse; un-edited

Aang never had an opinion for tea beforehand; it gave him strength and it smelled alright. He could not think of much more. Meanwhile, he preferred to soak up the sun in the average child-like delight, hands always buried in the silky fur of his charming bison.

Zuko's presence around the Western Air Temple rather unnerved him. Not that he didn't trust the prince, but he felt as if he was lacking something, which was odd. Aang had the wonderful friendship of his fellow companions and the promising relationship with Katara at his heels. Yet he felt the short little burn of disorientation amongst his contentment.

He noticed what it might just be one evening when he set his tea down, humming idly as his newly developed habit had commanded him. Every now and then Katara would peer at the meal in front of him and ask, "Too hot, Aang?" and he would shake his head with a smile. Then, with perfect tardiness, Aang would hold up his cup in Zuko's face and say, "Would you warm this up please, Sifu Hotman?"

Zuko, whose previous cheeriness had frayed from his natural inclination to be impatient, would give a polite grunt. Aang felt as if he were touching the very softest of flames as his and Zuko's fingers exchanged butterfly touches as Aang handed over his cup. He grinned when his tea was all done, and then gulped it.

Well, you couldn't blame him. He didn't tend to notice these things.

A couple days later, Zuko called him outside after dinner.

"You really need to control your fire-bending after the sun sets," He scolded, his pale face illuminated by the stars. "It's…tiring to keep heating your tea."

"Sorry," Aang said sheepishly. "You're just, uh…good at it, I guess."

"You're good at it, too," Zuko said mildly, "no need to ask me to help you with tea, of all things."

Maybe it really was Zuko's attention that Aang hungered for. Maybe he was just selfish. Maybe he was still a kid. Aang was used to people having their eyes glued to him, especially Zuko, who'd been hunting them down for so long beforehand. And now here Zuko was, teaching him fire-bending, helping the world regain peace, and yet Aang felt strangely cheated.

What could he expect, that Zuko would woo and dote over him? Aang muttered to himself grumpily in his sleep as the sun rose between the stone cracks of his room. It really wasn't a good idea to talk just then, as Zuko had a habit for early morning exercise.

"Why don't you…uh…heat that up, Zuko?" Aang glared in his sleep, tongue poking out into nothingness as Zuko turned abruptly from his doorway, not wanting to know what Aang was dreaming about.