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

Chapter 24: Feels

Out of earshot, Sune and Renko sat at a hut propped up on the beach that was selling drinks. They sat across from each other at a bamboo picnic table with an umbrella shoved through the middle. Against the back drop of the sun, as it began to set, only their silhouettes could easily be seen. Kuzo and Koa sat next to each other on their respective beach towels. A light breeze tickled their skin.

Kuzo sat upright, arms crossed and brow furrowed. He drummed his fingers on his arms as if waiting. His blue eyes kept flitting between the notes that Koa was writing and at the two metal benders just out of his earshot.

"What are you writing down?" he asked her as he forced his eyes away from Renko. Koa kept her eyes squinted and tried to write in the dying light.

"I was analyzing the notes I took from your sparring match but I switched to something else a bit ago," she replied.

"You're still taking notes on that?"

"I said I was," she stated, emphasizing was. "The Dark Hand has some very powerful people. He needs to be strong enough to take them on." She stopped her writing and looked at the prince. "I'm trying to predict the Dark Hand's next move."

Kuzo stopped drumming his fingers and raised an eyebrow. He leaned over to get a better look at her writings.

"The Dark Hand wants to completely separate humans and spirits and is even going so far as to eliminate spirits," she began. "They also act as the government of Whale Tail using the current governor as a puppet."

"That explains why they attacked Zaofu," Kuzo said. He thought for a moment. "They attacked the Bridge Statue, a popular symbol depicting the relationship between humans and spirits, and target Zaofu because it's the capital of the Earth States, which, is the de Juris seat of government for Whale Tail."

"Next, the Spirit Wilds in Republic City. They don't necessarily have any quarrel with the United Republic of Nations but the Spirit Wilds are a blatant assault on what they stand for."

"So," Kuzo began. "Where next?"

"They could maybe attack the Northern or Southern Water Tribes, the Southern Air Temple, any site connected with the Avatar."

"There are dozens of those all over the planet," he said. "You said the Dark Hand is working under the shadow of the Whale Tail government. Every political insider knows that they want full independence. Maybe they'll attack Zaofu? Or even Ba Sing Se?"

"Not likely. Once they strike a location, they've already sown chaos. Their next step is to water the soil and let it grow."

Kuzo raised his eyebrow again. He wanted to ask a question but heard footsteps walking towards them. Looks like the metal benders had finished their chat. His back straightened and he returned to drumming his fingers. Koa took notice and began to wonder.

"Did you guys have a good talk?" Kuzo asked through partly gritted teeth.

"We caught up a bit," Sune said well naturedly. He didn't notice the intonation in Kuzo's voice. "It's good to meet the team and see how big my old friend has grown!"

Renko watched Kuzo curiously. He tried to meet his eye but he was avoided.

"I told Sune that you and I were hanging out tonight," Renko said. "So he's going to head back."

"Oh really? That's a shame..." Kuzo said. He thought for a moment. "Why don't you come out with us?"

"Oh I can't intrude," Sune replied awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "Besides, I can't get in the way of student and teacher."

"Oh no, I insist!" Kuzo walked up and put his arm around Sune's shoulder. "I mean, it was going to be just the two of us but since you made an appearance."

"Kuzo...?" Renko asked a little sternly.

"What do you say Sune?" Kuzo directed the question to Sune. His arm was still draped over his shoulders which were a little awkward since Sune was taller than him. Sune saw it as a better opportunity to get closer to his old friend. Eventually, he said,

"Sure! I'll go with. What did you have in mind?"

Perhaps Kuzo was making a joke. Perhaps he was trying to make Sune uncomfortable. Whatever it was, Renko was not amused. The four of them, Koa included, was at a club on the far side of the island. Multi colored lights flashed across the ceiling and music blared from speakers against the wall. Kuzo had had his third fire whiskey and was dancing really close to Renko. By his movements, it was clear that he was a little out of it.

Sune stood by the wall looking a little anxious. His eyes darted around the room, scanning for any possible threats. He tried to push through the crowd to get closer to Renko but found that the crowd kept pushing back. He caught sight of the prince dancing with an annoyed Avatar.

"Is Prince Kuzo always like this?" he shouted into Koa's ear.

"I don't think so!" she stood on her toes to shout back. "He wasn't very happy when you showed up!"

"What do you mean?"

She shrugged and inched her way to the bar. Renko was fed up. He pulled Kuzo by the arm and outside through a side door.

"What is wrong with you?" he spun around and faced him. The day was still warm and a hot breeze tickled his hair. They both began to sweat, whether, from the heat or nervousness, they didn't know. Kuzo's eyes were still a little unfocused. He turned his head. Renko pushed him roughly against the brick wall of the club and tilted his head to look at him.

"Hey!" Kuzo replied angrily. "What was that for?"

"What is this behavior for?" Renko asked even more angrily. "Well?"

"I have feelings for you, alright?" Kuzo spat out. "It started when we were in Republic City."

Renko stepped back a little.

"And when Sune showed up, I got jealous."

"But why?" Renko asked. He went back to staring into Kuzo's crystal blue eyes. Not in an accusing way, in a questioning way.

"Why did I get jealous? I don't know, I'm the jealous type."

"No," Renko said. "Why do you have feelings for me?"

"Because you're incredible," Kuzo said quietly. He looked up putting his head against the wall. He desperately searched the stars for an escape.

"You're powerful and intelligent and driven. You carry the weight of being the Avatar and you do it so well. And you're beautiful. I can get lost in your eyes and when you sleep I just want to lay next to you."

Renko stepped back and rubbed his arm.

"I had a dream a couple of weeks ago," he said. "I was on some beach and I was walking with someone. We were holding hands only, I couldn't see his face."

Kuzo looked back at Renko.

"The more I think about it, the more I realize that it was you. You were holding my hand."

Kuzo took his chin and pulled his lips in for a kiss. Renko flinched at first but gave in and kissed back. He tasted whiskey and a curious but not unpleasant taste that could only be Kuzo. Kuzo pulled back.

"I think I should clear my head. Go back in and we can talk more when we get back to the beach house."

Renko nodded and went back inside. The pulsing music spilled outside and made a sharp pang stab through Kuzo's head. When the door closed he massaged his eyes.

"I'm so pathetic."

And with that thought, he hunched over and threw up.