Chapter Sixteen

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Hey Beeautiful, staying over Zuko's tonight. See you tomorrow. Love you guys.



The tears on his face and the ache in his stomach were hot. He pulled his knees up to his chest and pressed his face against his knees. He could smell the faintly dusty scent of his favorite jeans. If he closed his eyes, it shut out the too-harsh lights of the hospital waiting room. So he closed his eyes and shut them out. He shut everything out. He didn't need to see anything. He swallowed hard. He should have known better.

Of course Zuko didn't want to be with him. He never had. He wanted to be with his girlfriend. That was the way it usually went, wasn't it? He felt Bee's hand on his shoulder, but he didn't want to look at her. If he looked at her, he'd start crying again. He'd already cried too much, making a fool of himself in front of everyone in the middle of the mall. His mother was saying something now, about how worried she was, about how she tried so hard but nothing she did ever made a difference. Her high voice was loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. He knew she was talking about him, but he couldn't care enough to be annoyed. He hugged his knees and squeezed his eyes shut, refusing to open them.

"Jet." The hand on his shoulder tightened its grip, shaking him gently.

"What do you want?" he murmured.

"Wake up."

That wasn't what he was expecting to hear. He opened his eyes.

Zuko was sitting up in bed, smiling down at him. Although he was half-covered by the blankets, his chest and arms were bare, and Jet's heart twisted in his chest at the sight of his smooth, faintly flushed pale skin.

"What's wrong?" Zuko asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You're frowning."

Jet realized Zuko was right, and he smiled instead. "Oh, I was just thinking, I guess."

Zuko settled down beside him, bringing his face close to Jet's own. "Yeah? About what?"

"Nothing, really."

"You can tell me." Zuko wasn't wearing his glasses. It made him look a little younger. Like it was a few years ago.

"No, it's actually nothing." Jet let out a breath, releasing the tension he must have been holding in, even as he slept. He leaned in to kiss Zuko's forehead, then his mouth.

Zuko kissed him back.

Jet drew away. He took another breath, and he found that the tension was still there, wound tightly throughout his chest and stomach, an extensive knot taking up most of his body. It was as if he kept expecting something bad to happen. At any moment, he would discover that this was all a joke or a mistake, or that something--somehow--was wrong.

"What are you thinking?" Zuko asked.

"Are you sure? That this is okay? That you want this?"

"I'm sure," Zuko replied simply, without hesitation.

Jet nodded, though he was aware of a continuing downward pull on the corners of his mouth. He was trying to smile, and he wanted to smile, but it wasn't exactly easy. "I'm still nervous about this."

"I understand."

He regarded Zuko thoughtfully, unsure of how well Zuko could see him with his glasses off. He reached out to stroke Zuko's cheek, and when it made Zuko laugh, he couldn't keep from laughing a little himself. Zuko looked nice in the morning. His hair was even more of a mess than usual.

Zuko kissed at his fingertips, and Jet felt another twist in his chest. He couldn't decide if it was a good feeling or a bad one. Maybe it was a combination of the two.

"I don't know if this is a good idea," Jet said.

"I know. But I hope it is."

"Me too." He had given up a lot for Zuko. He was always giving up a lot for him. It had almost gotten to be a habit for him. His relationship with Long had been different, but it had been good. He knew, with a quiet but firm certainty, that if not for Zuko's return, he would have stayed with Long for--well, a long time. Years. He had been prepared for that. He wasn't prepared for this. The world was suddenly and inescapably different. He couldn't go back to the way his life had been a few days ago, not now.

Zuko interrupted his thoughts by pressing his lips to Jet's, and Jet couldn't keep himself from returning the kiss, his tongue slipping briefly between Zuko's lips as a warmth flared in his belly. He shifted, his legs sliding against Hahn's million-threadcount sheets, and he was highly aware of the slight ache that reminded him of Zuko's cock inside him.

Jet tensed, pulling back again and feeling embarrassed as he did so. He wasn't used to being this way, feeling so skittish. "I have to get back home soonish," he said. He didn't know what time it was, and he didn't think he had anything in particular to do today, but this was too much for him right now. He couldn't stay here all day. The sight of Zuko, the feel of his skin, the smell of his body, of their sex--he found it overwhelming. He'd probably lose his mind.

Zuko accepted this statement without protest. "But you can stay a little while longer, right?"

Another kiss made it hard to resist this proposition. "Yeah, a little," Jet said.

"Good. Then we can have breakfast."

"More waffle towers?"

Zuko's laugh sounded so good, soft and low. "Do you want more waffle towers?"

Jet considered this question seriously. It was a safe subject. Who could feel bad thinking about waffle towers? "I'm not sure. What else can we get in a tower?"

Zuko's reply was as serious as Jet's question. "I don't really know. Does it have to be in a tower?"

"I prefer a tower. But--" He pretended to sigh. "I don't have to have one, I guess."

"Well, if you want a tower, I'll get you one," said Zuko, quite seriously.

Jet believed him. Hahn's chef had made tiny waffles for them yesterday morning, but it had been Zuko himself who had arranged them into towers, getting his fingers sticky with syrup in the process. This had made it necessary for Jet to lick Zuko's fingers clean. Fortunately, Hahn and Zhao hadn't been around at the time.

This morning, when they finally stumbled out of the bedroom, still dressed in their pajamas, Joseph Zhao was sitting at the table, reading the paper, a cup of coffee at his elbow. He was wearing a red bathrobe. He glanced up from the sports section, unconcerned, as he informed them, "Hahn's gone out." He didn't elaborate, but his wry expression suggested the reason for Hahn's departure wasn't dire.

"Shopping?" Jet guessed.

Zhao grunted affirmatively.

"I guess he'll be gone a while." Jet sat down across from him, and Zuko followed suit.

"Yes. He's gone out ahead."

"I see. You gotta meet up with him later?"

"That seems to be the plan." Zhao didn't seem thrilled, but he was bearing up under his destiny pretty well.

"Sounds like Hahn's favorite plan."

"You could say that."

Jet laughed. "Hey, can I ask you a serious question, Joseph?"

Zhao raised his eyebrows in response, which Jet assumed meant "yes".

"Can the chef make eggs--in a tower?"

Zhao's amusement didn't exactly involve a smile, but his eyes narrowed. It was close to a smile, which Jet regarded as a victory. "He could probably manage a small one."

"Should I just go in and ask for one?" Zuko had done the asking yesterday, but Jet thought it sounded like fun. The blatant signs of Hahn's wealth entertained him.

Zhao gestured towards the kitchen door, his eyebrows rising again.

The chef was only in residence at certain times of the day, but Jet was in time for breakfast, and the small, dark-haired man listened to his request with the extreme patience of someone used to listening to Hahn. "You know," said Jet, making an appropriate motion with both hands, "kind of a tower made of eggs. But you can put anything else you want in it. I like surprises." The chef nodded and smiled. Probably he had been asked for much more problematic dishes in the past.

"He's totally going to do it," Jet said, as he slid back into his seat beside Zuko. "It'll be great. I ordered two egg towers for us."

"Okay," said Zuko, who had never indicated whether he himself wanted a tower of eggs.

"It'll be great."

Zuko was eying Zhao with mild nervousness. Jet knew he wasn't quite comfortable around the older man, so if anyone was going to start a conversation, it was going to be Jet. "Hey, guess what?"

Zhao, who had been reading the sports section again, looked up.

"Zuko found an apartment in Chinatown. So soon you and Hahn will have the place to yourselves again."

Zuko's eyes widened. "Jet, that hasn't been finalized yet. I didn't want to--"

"Oh, you'll probably get it. You said you just had to talk to someone's grandmother about it. People's grandmothers love you." Jet knew Zuko was worried about Hahn finding out about his apartment, especially before the papers were signed and he had entered into a commitment that Hahn could not undo. But Zuko didn't seem to realize that there was no way Zhao was going to tell Hahn about that, especially if it was going to irritate Hahn--which it would. Also, Jet was pretty sure that Zhao wouldn't do anything to get in the way of Zuko finding a place of his own, for obvious reasons.

"That's good to hear," said Zhao.

"Yeah, I bet Zuko's been a real pain to have over. Leaving his dirty laundry all over the place and staying up all night."

Zuko glanced warily at Zhao before interjecting, "Jet, I didn't-"

"Throwing all those wild parties and inviting all his crazy friends over."

Zhao made no comment to this. He grunted and took another sip of his coffee, but Jet thought it was just possible he might have done so to hide an actual smile. When he put his cup down, there was no evidence of any such expression, but Jet had his suspicions. Zhao folded his paper and got to his feet. "I should get ready," he said, and the words spoke volumes.

Once he had gone, Jet laughed again. "I never thought I'd say this, but Joseph and Hahn are kind of a cute couple."

Zuko was distracted by his anxiety, still watching the door Zhao had disappeared through. "I really don't want Hahn to find out about the apartment. Not yet."

Jet rolled his eyes fondly. Just as he'd thought. "Don't worry, Zhao knows the deal. You've got more important things to worry about right now."

"Oh? Like what?"

"Like egg towers."

Zuko chuckled as his gaze returned to Jet. He was smiling, even if the smile was still a worried one. "All right," he said. "I'll focus on egg towers."

"That's my advice." With Zhao gone, he felt momentarily odd again, but he kept talking. It was easier talking to Zuko like this, as if they were just friends. He still felt awkward, distracted by the memory of Zuko's mouth on his, his hands sliding over the amazingly soft skin just beneath Zuko's jaw, but it was easier to ignore the memories when Zuko was wearing a shirt. And pants. "You should listen to me. I know what I'm talking about."

"So you're an expert?"

"A medical expert," Jet corrected.

"Then I guess I have to listen to you."

Jet nodded sagely. "Yeah, or I'll write a stern note on your patient chart."

"I wouldn't want that," Zuko agreed.

"Towers made of eggs, that's my prescription."

Zuko shook his head. He looked down at the table and ran a hand through his hair as he smiled. "Uncle's always telling me to try alternative treatments."

"Wise man." Jet gazed wistfully towards the kitchen. He was starving. "Maybe I should have asked for more stuff. But I don't want to bother that guy--he's so nice."

"Don't worry. I'm sure it'll be enough. He knows how many waffles you ate yesterday."

Jet was about to protest that he had only eaten about ten waffles yesterday, and that they'd been small waffles too, but at that moment, the kitchen door swung open, and the chef emerged, bearing two square, pale glass plates that managed to match the apartment perfectly.

"Wow," said Jet. "They're, like, turrets."

The egg towers were pristine. The molded yellow form of the egg was jeweled with red and green peppers and dotted with the darker color of what looked like portobello mushrooms. The chef, a quiet man who seemed to prefer talking with food, set the plates down in front of them with a tiny smile.

"These are the greatest things I've ever seen," said Jet, awed, but the chef only smiled again and retreated to the kitchen. Jet leaned in towards Zuko and whispered conspiratorially, "I think he likes us better than he likes Hahn."

"Hahn's not that bad," said Zuko, but he didn't say he disagreed.

"Oh, he's awesome, but I sure wouldn't want to work for him. Or with him. Or anywhere near him. I'd way rather work for Zhao, even." As interesting a topic of conversation as Hahn was, the eggs were far more fascinating, and Jet promptly lost his train of thought as he attacked his tower with a fork. "Now take your medicine, Mr. Xi."

"Yes, Doctor Cai." Zuko was a good patient and followed his doctor's orders.

"If I had my own chef," said Jet between bites of eggs, "I'd make him cook me all kinds of crazy stuff."

"I'll cook weird things for you, if you want."

Jet swallowed, that awkward feeling doubling. He ate another mouthful before replying. "I don't know--do you know how to cook weirdly?"

"I'd try my best. But I don't know if I'm weird enough."

"You're pretty weird."

"That's true."

"I'm weirder, though." The egg turret was more filling than the tiny pancakes of yesterday, but it didn't take him very long to eat it. Zuko was only half finished by the time he was done, and Jet thought wistfully of yesterday's syrup, watching Zuko's hands as he ate.

"You're not." Zuko shook his head. He was quiet for the span of a few more bites of egg, then asked with transparent casualness, "Can you still stay a little longer?" He sounded as if he expected Jet to say no.

"Yeah," said Jet unthinkingly. He could stay, even though he wasn't sure he should.

"Good. I mean...I'd like you to. If it's all right."

Jet nodded. "It's fine, don't worry."

Zuko took a final bite of egg, chewed, and smiled. "What do you want to do?"

Jet knew what he wanted to do, but he still felt uncharacteristically hesitant. "I don't know. What about you?" Apparently they were going to sit around and ask each other what they wanted to do. It was like being in high school again.

Zuko looked thoughtful. Jet could practically hear what he was thinking, he knew Zuko so well. Since he was the host, he felt he had to come up with something for them to do. "We didn't finish that Go game yesterday."

"Trust you to think of Go first," said Jet.

"I think of other things first," said Zuko.

Jet started to laugh, then saw that Zuko was serious. He didn't quite know what to say to that. "Oh. Yeah, of course. Let's finish the game, then." He looked down at his plate, then got to his feet.

The board in Zuko's room was where they'd left it. They dragged Hahn's huge down comforter off the bed and plopped it down on the floor. Otherwise the marble floor--marble, so crazy--would have been too cold and hard to deal with. It was weird to think that that was his grandfather's Go board, just sitting there in Hahn's apartment. Zuko sat down, and Jet settled in behind him, as he had the night before. "You sure you didn't move the rocks when I wasn't looking?" Jet asked.

Zuko smiled faintly. That was an old joke of theirs, from the time that Zuko had first started teaching him to play. Jet had called the stones "pieces" once, and Zuko had corrected him flatly, "They're called stones." He'd still been standoffish at that point, so Jet, rationally trying to loosen him up, had started to incorrectly refer to the glass game pieces as "rocks". It had annoyed Zuko initially, but eventually the bad joke had had its intended effect, and he'd begun to shake his head indulgently and even smile a little.

Zuko didn't correct him now. "No, I didn't touch the rocks," he said. Zuko was a lot different now than he'd been when Jet had first met him. He'd loosened up a great deal. But he was still the same in many ways, too. He wore the same earnest expression on his face. That was good. Jet wouldn't have wanted him to change entirely.

"I know, you're too good to cheat anybody."

"That's right."

"Whose move was it again?" Jet asked, peering at the board. He couldn't remember. He'd been preoccupied with other things last night.

"Mine," said Zuko as he took a black stone from his bowl.

"Oh yeah." Jet remembered why Zuko hadn't managed to make his last move. It was a nice memory. He leaned in a little closer to Zuko and breathed in deeply. He could smell his skin. This time, Zuko hadn't pointed out that he was sitting on the wrong side of the board.

"Jet, you're distracting me," said Zuko as Jet's lips were just about to touch the soft skin under his jaw.

"Am I? I didn't notice."

Zuko's laugh was soft. "I think you did. But I don't mind."

"Will it distract you too much if I do this?" Jet kissed his ear.

Zuko placed his stone. "I'll manage," he said, but Jet noted the bright blush on his cheek. He was so cute--sometimes it was hard to think of anything else when he was around. It was easy to forget everything. He could worry about things later.

"Yeah, I guess you will," he said, reaching out for the bowl of white stones to make his move. "You're a professional, after all." He surveyed the board briefly before making his choice and setting the stone down with a click. He liked to rely heavily on instinct when playing games. "But there's one thing you shouldn't forget."

"What's that?" Zuko asked.

"I'm your rival," said Jet, and nipped at his ear.

Zuko was already concentrating on his next move, if only halfway. "I wouldn't forget," he murmured.

"Good. Us rivals don't like to be forgotten."

"I'd never forget you, Jet."

Jet didn't say anything to that. He flushed and kissed the side of Zuko's face. He heard rather than saw Zuko make his move, then turned to look. "Where did you go?"

Zuko pointed, and Jet nodded. "That's a pretty good move, Mr. Professional. I wonder what you're planning?" He narrowed his eyes as he took another white stone from the bowl.

"Who says I'm planning anything?"

"I know you. You're always thinking a hundred moves ahead, so you've got something planned. As your official rival, I've gotta figure it out."

"Is that what you have to do?" asked Zuko indulgently.

"Yeah, and I've gotta come up with my own plan. That's how it always works in books and on TV, so obviously that's what I have to do."

He licked at Zuko's throat, and Zuko blushed a brighter shade of red, but he was smiling. "I don't remember this part in the books."

"You haven't been reading the right books, I guess." Jet frowned as he examined the board. He was nowhere near as good of a player as Zuko. In fact, he hadn't played that often since those Go-intensive few weeks when he'd first had a crush on Zuko. He'd been so stupid about it, pretending to care about the game, then getting jealous when Zuko had started to play with other people. He'd have pretended to like anything for Zuko's sake back then. Or at least he would have tried. He wasn't quite as bad these days. Though he still wasn't a huge fan of Go, he'd come to be a bit fond of it, because Zuko loved it so much.

He made another move. "There. That's a good one, isn't it?"

Zuko made a noncommittal noise, his brow furrowing as he concentrated. He still took Go as seriously as ever. Jet put an arm around him, then ruffled his hair. "Jet," said Zuko, but he didn't seem to be protesting. He bore with Jet's affection, making yet another move. Yeah, he was definitely planning something. He was so easy to read when he was plotting. He had the worst poker face in the history of mankind.

Jet's hand moved down to Zuko's waist, snuck under his t-shirt, then slid up over his ribs.

Zuko exhaled sharply. "It's your move."

"Okay," said Jet. He was sort of paying attention, enough to be able to pick a move that didn't seem too awful. He hadn't forgotten how to play, and the night before he'd found himself getting better the more moves he'd made.

Jet moved his hand farther up, finding Zuko's chest warm against his palm. He kissed the back of Zuko's neck. He smelled so good. He was impossible to resist.

"Jet," breathed Zuko, "should we--stop playing?"

"No, not yet. It's your move. Come on, Mr. Professional."

"Jet--this isn't fair."

He kissed Zuko's neck again, and then he had to lick where he'd kissed, tasting him with the tip of his tongue. He closed his eyes. There wasn't anything better than this. "It's not supposed to be fair," he said. "Keep playing."

"If you want to," said Zuko, who pretty clearly did not.

They kept playing. Jet kept one hand free as his other hand explored Zuko's body. "How's your plan going?" he asked as he ran his hand over Zuko's thigh.

"It's fine."

Jet kissed his cheek, and Zuko turned his head, bringing their mouths together. "Can we stop playing now?" asked Zuko once the kiss had ended.

"The game's almost over," said Jet. "Just a few more moves."

"All right, Jet," said Zuko shakily.

Jet thought he could probably have gotten him to do anything just then. But he didn't want to use his power for evil. Well, not much evil. He moved his hand, his fingers briefly brushing the drawstring at Zuko's waist before settling on Zuko's stomach just above it. He moved them, tickling the other boy lightly. "Go on."

Click followed click as they set their stones down and played the last few moves of the game. Impulsively, Jet reached down between Zuko's legs. The pajama pants he was wearing were soft and thin. He wrapped his hand around Zuko's cock, holding him through the cloth. Zuko was already hard.

Zuko gasped and set down a stone.

Jet set down another, then drew his hand back, releasing Zuko for the moment.

Zuko swallowed. Jet could hear the soft sound in the quiet room. "Jet," Zuko said.

"Yeah?"

"I think--" He hesitated, his gaze on the Go board although his hand touched Jet's arm. "Well, you won."

"I won?" Jet's eyes widened, the news surprising enough to distract him from what he'd been doing.

"By one point." Zuko could count up the points with a glance, something that would have taken Jet a few minutes to do.

"How'd I do that?"

Zuko tried, valiantly, to concentrate long enough to explain. "I was playing to have the scores come out even. Which can be really hard to do. But then you..." He paused, swallowing audibly. "I wasn't paying enough attention. So I didn't notice right away when you formed that second eye in the group on the upper right, and then-"

"So I won," said Jet, interrupting him.

"Yes."

"And you lost."

"Looks like it," said Zuko patiently.

"Man, I finally did it. I beat my rival in a fair contest. I guess I haven't fallen too far behind after all."

"Well, I--," Zuko began.

Jet cut him off again. "I'm the winner. And you're a professional. So I'm like--professional caliber now."

"Jet, that isn't exactly--"

Jet slipped both arms around Zuko's waist. After all, he didn't have anything else to do with his hands now. He pressed his lips to the back of Zuko's head, kissing him. Zuko's hair was soft against his skin. "Do you really want to argue with me right now?"

Zuko let out a long, soft sigh. "I--no."

"Good. Cause you shouldn't argue with a winner. It's unsportsmanlike." He slid both hands down into Zuko's pants, slipping past the waistband, finding his cock still hard and so warm.

"Oh," said Zuko, who was in no position to argue anyway now. "All right, Jet."

Jet pulled Zuko's pajama pants down, and Zuko moved to make it easier for them. Then Jet figured that if Zuko's pants were half off, he might as well take them off the rest of the way, so he did. After that, it made sense to get him out of his shirt as well. Then since Zuko was naked, the next logical step was to get out of his own clothes, too. So in a surprisingly short amount of time, they were both lying naked on the down comforter.

Jet crawled on top of Zuko. He loved to listen to the sound of Zuko's breath as he lost control, the way it quickened, the slight rasp. Zuko was gorgeous. Jet kissed his face--his cheeks, his jaw, his mouth. He wanted to kiss him everywhere. Which was what he always wanted.

Zuko didn't seem to have any objections, and he didn't protest as Jet kissed his way down his body, slowly but not steadily as he paused to linger at his throat, his chest, and his belly, stroking Zuko's dick as he did so. His other hand stroked Zuko's thigh. Zuko had the perfect thighs. Jet could feel the muscle beneath his skin.

"Jet," murmured Zuko.

"God," said Jet. "I wanna suck your dick." But talking about it wasn't as good as doing it, so he moved down and kissed the head of Zuko's cock, Zuko's precome wet against his lips. He cupped Zuko's balls with one hand as he took Zuko's dick slowly into his mouth. He brought his head forward until his lips were almost at the base of Zuko's cock, then stayed there for a few long moments before drawing back. "Hey," he said, running his tongue over hot skin between words, "Do you wanna suck my dick, too?"

"Yes," Zuko managed to reply.

"Good. You make me so hard." He moved quickly, climbing over the softness of the down comforter and the pleasant solidity of Zuko, until he had repositioned himself with Zuko's head between his legs. "Fuck, Zuko, I love your cock," he said as he lowered his head again.

Zuko didn't say anything in reply, but he didn't need to. Jet gave a low moan as he felt the other boy's lips on his cock. So good, Zuko was so good. Jet flushed all over. The other boy licked and sucked on his cock as he himself took as much of Zuko's cock into his mouth as he could. He loved the way Zuko tasted. He'd never get tired of this. He didn't ever want it to end.

Suddenly, Zuko's cell phone rang--Jet would know that obnoxious ringtone anywhere. Zuko stirred beneath him, his tongue stilling, but Jet continued to suck on his dick, and in a moment Zuko returned to the task at hand--and mouth. The phone continued to ring, and Jet thought that he'd have to get Zuko to change it, because the last thing he wanted to hear while sucking someone off was a poor cell phone rendition of a Traveling Wilburys song.

Thankfully, it stopped soon enough, and he could focus all his attention on Zuko's cock, which deserved it. Zuko was so hard now. Jet could feel he was about to come, and he lost all thought of making it last. He wanted Zuko's come in his mouth. The thought made his own cock ache. God. He wouldn't be able to hold out much longer. It was too good, Zuko's tongue teasing the head of his cock, Zuko's hands stroking his balls and sliding up over his ass. He had such a soft touch.

It was Jet who succumbed first, moaning again, his hips moving, his cock sliding between Zuko's lips as he came. He could hardly think, but he kept his own mouth on Zuko's dick, and he was careful of his teeth and flicked his tongue, sucking earnestly and thoroughly, urging Zuko on until the other boy clutched at his thighs. Jet closed his eyes and swallowed as Zuko's come flooded his mouth.

"You taste so good," he murmured as he drew back.

"Jet," said Zuko softly.

Jet repositioned himself smoothly, so that he was looking into Zuko's eyes. He ran a hand through his hair. God, this was still so weird. He kissed Zuko briefly. He always liked tasting his own come on someone else's lips. Zuko returned the kiss eagerly, putting his arms around Jet's shoulders, but suddenly it way too intense--as weird as that seemed after what they'd just been doing, and Jet drew back, without trying to seem obvious about it. "I bet you wanna check your messages now."

If Zuko noticed anything odd, he didn't show it. "I can wait a little while," he said. His fingers were in Jet's hair, and he was smiling. He looked like he had last night, like he often did when they were close like this. Like he was about to say something.

Jet wasn't sure he could deal with whatever it was Zuko wanted to say, not right now. "You sure?" he asked. "You're waiting to hear from the realtor lady, right?"

Zuko sighed. "That's true. I guess I should see if it was her." He leaned in to give Jet another, brief kiss, then rose and walked across the room to get his phone. He was still naked. Jet couldn't resist looking at his ass. He flushed and sat up, rearranging himself on the comforter. God, this was weird. He tried not to think about it too much as Zuko sat down on the bed and listened to the message.

"Shit. It was her," he said, frowning.

"Don't worry. I'm sure it's not a big deal. She just called you. So call her back."

"All right, I won't worry." Phone in hand, Zuko returned to where Jet was sitting. He put the phone down in order to gather up his pajamas and put them on.

"Are you getting dressed just to make a phone call?" Jet asked.

"I can't call her with no clothes on," said Zuko, stepping into the legs of his pajama pants.

"Sure you can. How is she gonna know?" asked Jet, laughing.

"I'll know," replied Zuko, stubbornly pulling on his shirt.

Jet didn't stop, but he kept laughing until Zuko picked his phone up. "Jet, don't, you're going to make me laugh," he said, smiling.

"Okay. I don't want to ruin your business professional voice for you." He kept still and behaved himself as Zuko returned to the bed. It was apparently the proper place to make phone calls from, although Jet suspected that Zuko wanted to distance himself from temptation.

It was a brief call. Zuko said hello, then listened. "I can leave now," he said. There was a pause as he listened again. Jet couldn't hear the realtor, he could only see Zuko's sober expression as he listened to her, the phone pressed to his ear. "No, now is fine. It'll take me a little while to get ready, but I can be there in less than an hour." He paused again. "All right, thanks."

Zuko hung up, and Jet felt another surge of awkwardness. "I can go with you, if you want," he volunteered unthinkingly.

"Really?" Zuko turned towards him, a smile breaking out on his face for a moment before his serious face came crashing back down. "I know you have stuff to do. You don't have to."

"Yeah, I know I don't have to. I just thought you might like the company." Jet noticed that Zuko was careful to keep his gaze fixed above Jet's neck. Jet then remembered that he was naked, except for where the comforter happened to cover part of his body. He briefly entertained the thought of getting Zuko back into bed with him, but no--he wasn't ready for that again, not yet. And it would have been a little cruel when Zuko was obviously so eager to get to the apartment as soon as possible. He really wanted to get this place. Jet didn't want to jeopardize his chances, although it seemed to him that any landlord would want Zuko as a tenant. He was almost frighteningly conscientious.

"If you don't mind," Zuko said, his attempts to look neutral ruined by his hopefulness.

"I don't."

Zuko rose to his feet. "I have to get ready. You don't mind leaving soon, do you?"

"No, it's cool."

"Okay, great." Zuko abandoned his forced neutrality and beamed. "I guess I should take a shower..." He started to gather clothes together. "I'll just be a few minutes. Do you want to take one?" He left off the with me, but Jet could almost hear him think it.

"No, I'll get one later."

"All right." Zuko hesitated in the doorway. "I'll just be a few minutes," he said again. He looked at Jet as if half-afraid he'd come back to find Jet gone.

Jet didn't move. He kept the comforter where it was--strategically placed, fortunately. "Yeah, I know. Go on and take a shower, dork. I can survive on my own in Hahn's apartment. I know it's pretty big, but I promise I won't get lost."

"Okay." Zuko smiled. He seemed to be about to say "I'll just be a few minutes" again, but fortunately, he didn't.

Once he'd gone, Jet sighed. He got up and walked barefoot across Hahn's stupid white marble floor. His clothes from the day before were on the floor next to the bed. He put them on. He could change later, when he got home. He didn't like the idea of borrowing something from Zuko. Not today. He didn't bother looking at his hair in one of the many highly polished surfaces he had to choose from. He plopped down on the bed and gave another, deeper sigh. What the hell was he doing? Something stupid, as usual.

He narrowed his eyes at the ceiling and tried not to think too much about what he'd done. He failed. He was such an asshole. He should probably just go home. It wasn't too late for him to change his mind about all this. Maybe if he went back to the apartment and told Long he was sorry, he could make everything return to the way it was before. But he'd already stupidly said he'd go with Zuko to talk to the landlord. Backing out would make him feel like even more of a dick. Then he would have officially been a jerk to everyone. He thought about it. Maybe it would be easier to go.

If he left, he'd finally be free of all this crap. He'd go back to his boyfriend, and he'd know that he'd at least given it a try with Zuko, so it wouldn't keep tormenting him. After all, it wasn't healthy to be so hung up on someone who'd fucked him over so completely. Not that Zuko had meant to do it, which was the main reason he hadn't already gotten up and left.

When Zuko got back, still damp from his shower, Jet was still lying on the bed.

By the time they got to the apartment building, Jet felt better. Walking around and taking the subway gave him other things to focus on. He made stupid observations about places they passed and people they encountered, and he could see that it was helping Zuko to relax as well. When Zuko had returned from the shower, he'd looked half-surprised to find Jet still there.

As Zuko stepped up to the door and rang the bell, Jet still wasn't sure he'd made the right decision. He'd texted Long and Bee to let them know where he was, but probably he should have gone home instead.

"Hey," he said, gesturing towards the cheesy gift shop that took up the first floor of the building, "that's convenient. All your interior decorating needs all in one place." The cheap merchandise crowded every surface, the folding tables jutting out into the sidewalk. Jet reached down to pick up one of the little gold-painted zodiac figures next to his hip. "I'm getting you a rabbit," he said.

"What? Why?" Zuko glanced nervously at the door, which hadn't opened yet.

"Cause you're a little bunny." Jet smirked.

"I hate astrology," said Zuko with an irritated frown. He seemed about to say something else on the subject, but a thought distracted him. "How do you know that?"

"I know these things," said Jet airily.

"Don't--" sighed Zuko, but it was too late. The shop's sharp-eyed attendant was already speaking to Jet in rapid Cantonese that he didn't follow very well, but it was easy enough to guess what she was saying.

"Yeah, I'll take it." Once he'd paid, he passed the golden rabbit to Zuko. "There's your present."

Zuko held it up, at a loss. "What do I--"

The door opened. A young woman with a matching skirt and jacket stood framed in the doorway. Jet assumed she was the realtor because she looked like one. She looked at the rabbit without blinking. "Hello, Zuko. I'm glad you could make it on such short notice."

He lowered his hand, still holding the rabbit, which was a little too large to fit in his pocket. "Hello," he said, using his maximum polite voice. "Thank you for calling me. I really appreciate it."

"Hi," said Jet easily.

"Oh, this is Jet," Zuko added. "He's--with me."

The woman nodded, smiling at them both. "I'm so sorry, Zuko, but I have a meeting with another client, and I'm already a bit late. You can find your way up to the apartment, I hope?"

Zuko nodded, but Jet could tell just by looking at him that this was not what he was expecting. That nervous clench of his jaw was hard to miss. "Oh. Of course. That won't be a problem."

"Good. I left it unlocked, so you can go right in. Grandmother will be with you in just a few minutes." Her smile faltered. "She's in a bit of a bad mood today, but don't take it personally."

"That's fine," said Zuko.

"She's a very nice woman. Don't let her fool you."

Zuko nodded gravely.

"Thanks so much, Zuko," she said, stepping out into the street to let them enter. "Just let the door close behind you. It locks automatically." She waved. "I'm sure I'll be seeing you again."

"Hey, don't worry," said Jet as they ascended the stairs. "Grandmothers always love you, remember?"

This did seem to reassure Zuko, and he nodded. "Just please don't joke around too much," he said. "I really want to impress her."

Jet could have been offended by the implication that he couldn't behave like an adult, but he knew Zuko got testy when he was nervous. "Aww, man, no dirty limericks? But I memorized like five of them just for the occasion."

"You can tell them to me later," Zuko promised.

"Okay, I will. Don't think I won't." Jet didn't actually know any dirty limericks by heart, but he was sure he could make some up. He followed Zuko to the door of the apartment. The hinges creaked as the door swung open. "Hey, this place is pretty cool." He was climbing up the stairs into the loft before Zuko could stop him.

"Jet, get down from there." Zuko was trying to keep his serious face on, but part of a smile slipped through.

"Come on, she's not gonna get mad at me for testing out the loft." But he came down, if only because it might make Zuko less nervous. "Hey, how do you like your rabbit?" Jet reached out to touch the hand that was wrapped around the cheap statue he'd bought for Zuko.

Zuko looked down at it as if he'd temporarily forgotten its existence. "What am I supposed to do with it?"

"Nothing. It brings you good luck."

"Jet, I don't believe in that stuff." In spite of not believing, he kept his grip on the rabbit, even though he looked like he wanted to get rid of it.

"You're not going to get any luck thinking like that."

Zuko made a face. He could be pretty cute when he was annoyed. "Guess my sign," said Jet, knowing he was still being annoying but unable to help himself. At least he was distracting Zuko.

Zuko, perhaps because he was nervous, decided to take the question seriously. He took his time and thought about it. "Well, you and I were born around the same time--so are you a rabbit, too?"

"No, of course not." Jet rolled his eyes. "You have to consider my innate qualities."

"Jet, astrology doesn't mean anything. Everyone born in the same year can't share the same traits."

"Guess again," said Jet, ignoring his logic.

"I don't know--a snake?"

Jet laughed. "Wrong. Should I be offended by that?"

"No, I didn't mean--I mean, I can't remember all the animals, because I think it's ridiculous."

"I'm a tiger," said Jet, since Zuko obviously was not going to be able to guess. "And you should be pretty worried, since you're a little bunny."

"Jet, come on, stop it--"

"Because I'm going to bite you." He moved, and Zuko wasn't quick enough to avoid him. He gripped Zuko's shoulder as his teeth met the soft skin beneath Zuko's jaw. Just then, the door swung open again with the telltale squeak of hinges, and Jet's gaze shifted. An old woman he assumed was the realtor's grandmother was standing there, glaring at them. In other words, Zuko's prospective landlord. Jet released Zuko's neck, if not his shoulder. "Hi. How's it going?"

She glared at each of them in turn. It was a purposeful, searching glare. She looked Zuko over first, then Jet, before demanding of both of them, "Which one of you is Xi?"

"That's me," said Zuko hesitantly.

"Speak up!" she snapped.

"That's me," Zuko repeated, louder.

She snorted, although this was apparently loud enough for her. "You do not sound sure."

Zuko persevered. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Liu."

She sniffed. "So, you want to live here?"

"I'd like to, yes."

Mrs. Liu didn't seem impressed. She jabbed her finger at Jet. "You."

Jet smiled. "Yeah?"

"What's your name?"

"I'm Jet."

For the first time, her face softened slightly. "And you will be here too?" she asked. Her words were all sharp and fast, as if they were being shot from her mouth.

"Sometimes, yeah," said Jet.

"Good. You look like you can take care of yourself." She glanced at Zuko again and sniffed. Jet saw Zuko redden. Jet felt a little bad for him, but he couldn't help but be amused, too. This was the first time he could remember that a parent or grandparent or anyone's older relative had liked him better than Zuko. It was novel. And kind of hilarious. He listened as Mrs. Liu started to instruct him on the behavior she expected of her tenants. Every so often she would pause and gesture to Zuko and ask Jet, as if Zuko couldn't hear them, "You will tell him?"

"Sure, no problem," Jet said.

Whenever Zuko tried to speak for himself, Mrs. Liu cut him off by pointedly and loudly asking Jet a question. "Where is your family from?" or "Do you think he'll make me a good tenant?"

"I don't know," Jet answered the latter jokingly. "He's a real party animal. Always making a mess and playing his music real loud. You've gotta watch out for him."

Mrs. Liu laughed in a way that Jet thought Zuko probably wouldn't appreciate. That laugh seemed to suggest that she didn't think Zuko knew enough people to invite to a party. Then she nodded at Jet and patted his arm as if they they were old friends. "Come with me."

Jet followed her up the stairs to the loft, with Zuko tagging along in a state of meek bewilderment. There was a ladder in the back corner that led to a small door, and she scaled it with surprising agility for someone her age. She used a key to remove a large padlock, then swung the door open. A cool breeze swirled in.

A short while later the three of them were standing on the roof. Tarpaper crunched under Jet's sneakers as he walked closer to the edge. He could see the whole park from up here, and most of Chinatown. "You can come up on the roof," said Mrs. Liu, "But if you leave any trash up here, I'll change the lock, and then no one can come up."

"No trash, got it," said Jet, taking in the view and taking a deep breath of the polluted air. It wasn't the tallest building in the city, that was for sure, but at night, with the city lights all burning, it would be beautiful. "I'll tell him." It was already understood between them that she wasn't going to speak directly to Zuko.

"Good. Will he take it?"

Jet glanced at Zuko, who was regarding him helplessly but still had the presence of mind to nod. "He'll take it," Jet said.

She nodded. "You look after him."

Mrs. Liu didn't waste time. She managed to interact with Zuko long enough to have him sign the papers and hand over his deposit check, although everything she said was apparently directed at Jet, since Jet was the one she was looking at. Zuko dutifully responded to her questions, however, and obediently raised his voice whenever she told him to speak up, which happened several times. Jet was a little surprised when, once all the paperwork was finished, she actually handed the keys to Zuko instead of him.

"I think that went pretty well," said Jet, once Mrs. Liu had bustled out, with one more smile for Jet and one last glare for Zuko.

Zuko looked crestfallen. Maybe it was the first time a grandmother hadn't liked him. Jet gave the other boy a friendly punch in the shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm sure she'll warm up to you."

Zuko nodded.

"Hey, she gave you the place, so she must like you a little."

Zuko nodded again, and this time he seemed a bit cheered up.

"Either that, or she thinks she can boss you around," Jet laughed.

"Thanks, Jet," Zuko said, with a detectable trace of sarcasm.

Jet decided to ignore the sarcasm. "Hey. You're welcome." He spread his arms wide, taking in the entirety of the small apartment. "So--this is your place now. How does it feel?"

Zuko considered. "Pretty good, I guess. It hasn't entirely sunk in yet."

Zuko was still holding the rabbit in his hand--he had been holding it all this time. Mrs. Liu had not mentioned it, although she had given it a scornful look, as if to say that she did not approve of rabbits. Jet took the thing from him, then set it down on the windowsill. "There. Now it's got something of yours in it. It's feeling like home already."

"That is a little better actually," said Zuko, coming to stand next to the window. He turned towards Jet, but Jet, suddenly feeling a little odd, took a step back.

"I guess we should get going," he said.

"Yeah," Zuko agreed softly.

"Don't forget to lock up," Jet reminded him. It was what Mrs. Liu would have wanted.

"I won't."

Zuko didn't suggest that they go anywhere else, and Jet didn't either. The train ride home was quiet. Jet looked out the window for the most part, even when the train was underground and there wasn't anything to see but his reflection.

"Jet," Zuko asked him once Hahn's curved and gleaming apartment building loomed over them once again, "Is something wrong?"

"No, not really."

The woman in the lobby recognized them and waved them through with a polite, efficient smile. "If there's something wrong, you can tell me," Zuko said as the elevator smoothly carried them upwards.

Jet examined their reflections in the polished surface of the elevator's interior. He sighed. "Yeah, I know."

"I mean it. You can--"

"God, Zuko, can you fucking lay off?"

Zuko fell silent. The elevator opened and they stepped out. Before Zuko unlocked Hahn's door with his borrowed key, Jet spoke again. "Look, I'm sorry I snapped at you. I just don't want to rush into anything, okay?" It wasn't that he was angry at Zuko. He was more angry at himself. He always rushed into things. He didn't want to do that again.

"I understand."

"I didn't mean anything by it, okay?" He touched his hand to Zuko's shoulder as Zuko opened the door.

Hahn was already home. He was sitting on the couch reading a book. Jet wasn't sure where Zhao was--maybe in his study. Zuko had told him that the study was the one room in the house Zhao had been allowed to decorate. Hahn made sure the study door was kept closed at all times. Hahn looked up from his book and pronounced carefully, "Hello Zuko. Hello Jet."

Was it Jet's imagination, or was there a touch of suspicion in Hahn's eyes? He didn't think Zhao would have told him about Zuko's new apartment, but then, he wasn't sure. Probably Zuko should just come out and tell Hahn himself, right now. After all, the papers were already signed. But then, it wasn't Jet's place to interfere. "Hey, Hahn," he said. "How's it going? You get some good shopping done?"

"Yes, thank you."

A few minutes later, Hahn was done listing his purchases, and Jet and Zuko managed to escape and make their way back to Zuko's temporary bedroom. "I guess I should be going now," said Jet, unsure why he had followed Zuko into the bedroom when he hadn't intended to stay. Things were awkward again. Not completely awkward, though. Jet leaned in to kiss Zuko's mouth, and the kiss lasted for a few moments before he pulled away.

"So when are you moving in to the new place?" Jet asked him.

"In the next couple days, I hope. I think Uncle's going to drive up."

"I'll definitely help you out. Just give me a call, okay?" Zuko looked a bit lost, so Jet added, "Or just call me if you need anything. Or I'll call you." He kissed Zuko again, on the cheek, before adding, "And don't worry about the apartment. Everything will be fine, I promise."

"I hope so." Zuko walked him to the door, then stood with his hand on the knob for several seconds. Jet could tell he was deciding what he wanted to say. He opened his mouth, then closed it again, biting his lip. Finally he murmured, "Bye, Jet," and opened the door.

Jet touched his cheek, briefly, before walking past. "I'll see you soon."

Jet had made it across the lobby and was almost at the large, revolving door, when to his surprise, he heard his name, in a low voice that managed to carry across the space between the elevator and where he stood. "Jet."

In the process of reaching for the door, Jet stopped. He turned to see Hahn walking towards him. "Yeah, what is it?" He raised his eyebrows, bemused. He had absolutely no idea what Hahn might want with him.

"I would like to talk to you, if you don't mind."

"Hey, sure."

Hahn caught up to him then continued to walk out the door. Jet, still bemused, followed. Hahn walked a step ahead of him. As usual, the other boy looked as if he'd stepped down off a catwalk in Milan moments before. And he walked as if he was still on it. "Zuko doesn't know I'm speaking to you," he said, looking straight ahead.

"Oh, so this is top secret stuff?" Only Hahn would have come after him like this, probably without saying a word to Zuko or Zhao beforehand.

Hahn made a noise that might have indicated assent or amusement. He kept walking until they passed a café that was overpriced enough, and then ducked inside. Jet followed. "Would you like something to drink, Jet?" Hahn asked.

"Oh--sure. Just some tea or something."

Hahn ordered for both of them, and Jet couldn't help but feel like he was in some kind of strange dream in which he was friends with Hahn. This must have been what it was like for Zuko. Before Zuko had gone to Japan, Hahn had always been commandeering him and taking him shopping or out to the spa for the day.

Hahn waited to begin his talk until both of them were seated in uncomfortable metal chairs at an impossibly small table. "Jet, I would like you to be honest with me," Hahn said.

"That won't be a problem."

"Has Zuko already obtained an apartment for himself?"

So that's what this was about. Jet waited while a waiter presented them with their tea, complete with a little flourish. Each cup was accompanied by a wafer-thin biscotti. Jet glanced down into his cup, watching the tea leaves float through the steaming water. Once the waiter had backed away, he spoke. "Yeah, he signed the lease today." He didn't see any reason to lie to Hahn about it.

"I assume there is some reason he hasn't informed me of this?"

Jet wondered why Hahn hadn't come right out and asked Zuko. He certainly wasn't someone to avoid an issue. Maybe Hahn had a plot of his own. "I don't know, he didn't say."

"Where is this apartment?"

Jet told him, although he didn't remember the exact address, and Hahn frowned thoughtfully. "I see. Thank you for telling me."

Jet blew on his tea to cool it, then took a sip. Tea bags weren't in style, he guessed. "No problem! Don't worry about it, you know Zuko gets weird about stuff." Or he assumed Hahn knew. He tried to remember if he'd ever spent time with just Hahn before, but he didn't think that he had. Hahn was Zuko and Mai's friend. Usually when Zuko had hung out with Jet, it had been just the two of them, or else they'd been with Long, Bee, and sometimes Toph.

Hahn nodded in agreement. "There is something else I'd like to talk to you about."

"Oh yeah? Go ahead." He had to admit, he was curious.

"I do not think I need to point out that you and I don't know each other very well," said Hahn in the most matter-of-fact tone imaginable.

"That's probably true," Jet said.

"However, if you are going to become romantically involved with Zuko, I feel it is my responsibility, as his friend, to get to know you better."

Jet felt even more uneasy in his uncomfortable chair. "Um. Hahn, I'm not really sure if we--"

Hahn went on as if there had been no interruption. "I might be Mai's friend as well, but I don't want you to think that means I dislike or resent you in any way. In fact, my first concern in this situation is Zuko's well-being."

Jet nodded, dumbly. What was he supposed to say to that? "I want Zuko to have a happy and productive relationship," said Hahn. "He has to feel that his friends support his choice of partner. So I would like you to consider me--if not a friend, at least an amenable acquaintance."

"An amenable acquaintance," said Jet, marveling. This would have been hilarious if he wasn't so discomfited. "Got it, Hahn. But you know, Zuko and I aren't partners."

Hahn's answering look was blank, his blue eyes untroubled. Jet wasn't sure if he just wasn't listening or if he thought he knew better. "You are a very interesting person, Jet. I understand you are interested in social activism and civil rights?"

If Jet himself hadn't known much, much better, he would have thought Hahn was hitting on him with that line, although he had a pretty good idea that he wasn't Hahn's type. Fortunately, the very idea of Hahn hitting on him was absurd enough to cheer him up, so that he was able to make it through the next several minutes of bizarre conversation, as he drank his tea and Hahn asked him about his family and his plans for the future. The illusion of Hahn hitting on him didn't last long, even if the thought continued to be entertaining. By the end of the conversation, Jet felt more like he was being interviewed by one of Zuko's parents. It was more than a little strange. Dizzying, even.

When Hahn concluded the interview, Jet wasn't quite sure how he felt about it. He definitely didn't feel better, but at least he didn't feel too much worse. "I will see you soon, I'm sure," Hahn said, as if there wasn't a problem in the world.

When Jet finally made it home--without being waylaid and asked to take part in any more excruciatingly weird conversations--he felt an overwhelming sense of relief. He hurried inside and locked the door behind him. No one else was home. He wondered where they'd gone. Well, probably Long was at work and Bee was at class, if he remembered right. But he didn't bother to double check their schedules or to text them. He kicked off his shoes and threw himself down on the couch. He sighed, closed his eyes, and was asleep in moments.

"Jet, wake up."

When he opened his eyes, it was dark, and for a second, he didn't know where he was. "Oh. Hi." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, blinking sleepily as he looked up at Long.

"Can I sit with you? Or would you rather go back to sleep?"

Jet curled up into a seated position, placing his feet on the couch cushion and patting the cushion next to him. "Sit."

Long did so, folding up his own legs so his pose echoed Jet's. "How was your day?"

"Weird." Jet wasn't sure what he was supposed to say or not say. That was weird, too.

Long, as always, seemed to know what he was thinking. "Try not to worry about it too much, all right?" He reached out and touched the back of Jet's head, briefly stroking his hair before drawing his hand back. "Although I know you will anyway."

"I don't know what to do anymore," Jet said.

Long nodded.

Jet breathed out. Still a bit groggy from his nap, he felt like he didn't have any strength left in his body. He leaned to one side, resting his head on Long's shoulder. He hoped his friend wouldn't move away. After all, they'd always been like this, even before.

Long didn't move away. Jet closed his eyes. "We'll figure it out," he said. "I promise."

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