The History of Renko: Book 1 Emotions (Avatar, boyxboy)

Chapter 8: Onward

That next morning at nine thirty, the new duo found themselves at the edge of Zaofu, at the northern most border of the city. They faced the Boaz Mountains and the elevation would have made any person not from Zaofu, dizzy with vertigo. The sky was clear and the sun was breaking over the mountain tops.

Renko was dressed in jeans and a dark green shirt. He had a backpack filled with water, food, and a windbreaker just in case the spring winds picked up. Kuzo was dressed in a black tank top and board shorts. He was perfectly confident enough to show off his figure.

Ridhya, Sud, and Tahno were with them. All three men stood chatting with one another about politics and policy, all to keep Ridhya's attention away from the fact that his son was leaving.

Sune, however, did not make an appearance. Not after what happened last night. Renko invited him to come and see him off but, Sune refused. Renko thought back to last night.

They had left his father's office and Kuzo had gone to prepare for the journey ahead. Renko was in his room trying to pack but being reminded that as the Avatar, he no longer needed "worldly possessions". He heard a knock on his door.

He got up to answer it. When he opened the door there was Sune still in his military uniform. He didn't say anything. It looked as if he had just gotten done crying and only now had the composure to knock on Renko's door.

"Hey," Sune finally said. "Can I come in?"

Renko opened the door wide enough to let him in. He closed it back. Sune sat on Renko's bed and looked around the room. The moving company had finally come and the room was furnished. It was filled with everything that Sune loved about his friend. Maps of cities and states covered one wall. A bookshelf as tall as the ceiling dominated another. All of it Sune loved.

"So what's up? It's like you've been avoiding me," Renko asked. He wasn't wrong. Sune had been avoiding him, after hearing that the handsome Fire Nation Prince was tagging along on Renko's journey. He avoided him after realizing that Renko wouldn't go with him to help protect the city when he asked but, protected the city when the Prince was there.

"I don't like him," was all he said.

"Who Kuzo?"

Sune nodded.

"He's a little sarcastic and maybe narcissistic but he's a good guy. Plus, he'll teach me fire bending."

"It isn't about that!" Sune stood up and began pacing.

"Then what it is about?"

Sune stopped and turned to his friend,

"There's so much I want to tell you, but I can't."

He grabbed Renko off the bed, cupped his face in his hands and did the only thing he knew to do. He kissed him. He put all of his love and frustration into that kiss and willed for Renko to kiss back.

Renko was shocked by this. He didn't know that this was how his friend felt. He kissed back. It wasn't with the same passion though and Sune could feel it. He pulled away.

"I can't see you off tomorrow," was all he said. He turned away and walked out the room He wanted to look back but he couldn't. All he could do was keep walking.

Renko was brought back to the present when he felt Kuzo nudge him. Kuzo raised an eyebrow, nonverbally inquiring as to what was going on. Renko just shrugged and didn't say anything.

Out in the distance, he could see a spec in the sky. It grew larger as it came in closer and he could then see it was some type of flying machine. The adults noticed it too and all turned to look at the odd thing flying towards them.