Wild At Heart (Zuko)

Chapter Eighty-One

Kali sits cross legged on the grass, the sun warming her skin. Her eyes are closed as she tilts her face towards the sun. Aang sits across from her, mirroring her seated position, but he's twitching with impatience, fear, and nerves, and likely some very deep level of exhaustion. He can't seem to relax like she is able to. He can't see how they can all be so calm about what is coming. And none of them have the same weight that he does on his shoulders. Everyone is expecting him to defeat the Fire Lord. The fate of the world and the war. Kali thought that she could help him relax by meditating with nature. They have all tried something. Sokka with his 'therapy', Katara with her hot yoga, Toph with her back massage. It is just Kali's turn to try and this has always helped her relax. It doesn't seem to be working though. Aang is too in his head about everything. Kali peeks at him through an eye and sees him staring down at the ground. Lost in his thoughts. Kali lets out a breath and unfolds her legs, opening her other eye.

"This isn't working for you is it?" She asks him and he snaps his gaze up to her.

"No" He admits. "The quiet makes it easier to think and well....thinking makes things worse" He rubs his hand on the top of his head. "It's all I can think about, all the time....." He drops his hand into his lap and lets out a long breath. "Thank you for trying, Kali" He adds softly. He knows they are all trying really hard to help him but nothing is working. He can't shut it off.

......

At the campfire, once the sun has set, once they have all tried with Aang, Kali sits with a blanket drawn around her shoulders, warmed by the fire. Zuko touches the top of his head as he joins her at the fire.

"Do you feel better?" She asks and Zuko nods as he sits behind her, slotting his legs on either side of her.

"We made some adjustments for the defenses that Sokka didn't know about" He explains and then kisses her head. "How did it go with Aang?"

"None of us helped" She whispers softly. "He's not ready to let us help him though....He won't allow the help" She glances across the fire to where Toph, Katara, and Sokka are all sat, taking in the warmth and watching Aang pace. "They all tried so hard" Zuko touches her head softly, drawing his fingers through her hair. "And we are relying on him for what is coming...." She lets out a breath. "Can we do this without him at his best?" She whispers to Zuko.

"We'll try" He assures her. "We can make a dent at least....we can get him to.." He pauses. "My father....it will be up to him after that" She turns her head slightly to look up at him.

"And if he can't do what he needs to?" She asks him.

"The war will go on" He answers sadly, drawing his arm around her to pull her closer. "We will do what we have to and trust that he can do it when it matters" Across from the couple, Aang drops to sit in front of the fire, pulling his knees to his chest.

"Thanks for everything, guys" He offers, and he is thankful to all of them for trying to help him.

"So, do you feel less stressed? Ready for a good night's sleep?" Katara asks. Aang turns his head away from the group.

"Uh, I kinda think I sorta might slightly feel a little better" He manages with at least some honesty in his tone. He turns back to his friends. "Maybe"

"Then our work here is done" Sokka offers and pushes himself to his feet, stretching his arms over his head with a yawn. "Time for us to get some rest" Sokka states and gives the rest of them a look before he walks towards his tent. Zuko kisses Kali's head and then stands, holding out his hand towards her. Kali keeps worried eyes on Aang though. Worried about him. But Sokka is right. They all need rest. To pick up the slack if Aang struggles. She lets out a breath and reaches for Zuko's hand, letting him pull her up to her feet. Gently curling his arm around her waist to squeeze softly in understanding. He knows her pretty well, knows that she is worried about what is coming. She has every right to be of course. They are walking into the Fire Nation with a small force. There is a reason this war has lasted 100 years. And a group of kids bringing it to an end is a very slim statistical odd.

"It's okay" Zuko whispers to her. "We'll figure it out" He assures her, she glances up at him.

"Since when did you feel so calm about stuff like this?" She asks him. He shrugs a little.

"It's what you would say to me" He admits quietly. "To not worry about what is to come...." She gently touches his scarred cheek and lets out a soft breath.

"Come on" She coos softly, brushing her thumb over his skin. "Let's get some sleep" She drops her hand to take his. He leans forward and presses his forehead to hers as he closes his eyes. He isn't really one to help people, that has never been him, but he has been changing, he has been learning. From Iroh. From Kali. And likely from Sokka, Katara, Toph and Aang as well. They are very deeply compassionate people. He has seen that already, more so these last few days.