{chap10} Just 500 Words PG
Title: Prude (Like a Monk) 1/2
Summary: It’s not gay, he tries to explain, it’s a Fire Nation tradition. Aang isn’t buying it.
Words: 497
Disclaimer: Avatar not owned by me
Warning: slash; written on impulse; un-edited
Introducing Aang into Fire Nation culture certainly wasn’t Zuko’s idea, it was hard enough easing him into fire-bending (a lesson never to be forgotten). But there is only one way to emerge the Avatar into the customs of his people, because he still gets bored from lectures.
“I know that you’re familiar with Fire Nation toys and games, you know, crackling cricket and the like,” Zuko begins with a weary look in his eye. “I can skip everything twelve and under, right?”
“Well…” Hopeful eyes consider.
“Great,” Zuko says curtly. Aang groans. Strict teacher, must not complain. Strict teacher, must not complain.
“Azula and I were trained from childhood,” Zuko says, “So do most of the upper class. The middle class, and if they’re lucky some of the lower class, begin training at thirteen.”
“So I wouldn’t start bending until now?”
“You would bend. And your parents would yell at you for not controlling it. And beat your bum with an iron rod and-anyway. You start training at thirteen.” Zuko clears his throat. “Non-benders begin athletics to discipline their bodies. Every citizen is obligated to serve its nation, so they have to prepare somehow. Benders sometimes use the games as a supplement.”
“Mhmm,” Aang says. I’m already losing him, Zuko grumbles.
“And here we are,” Zuko says as they near the edge of one of the courts. “I’m about to teach you the most popular and probably most useful game.”
Aang’s eyes spark immediately with the thought of activity. “I’m so ready for this, Zuko! I’m so-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
“…You play naked,” Zuko deadpans, and slips off his undergarments.
-
“Why do a bunch of boys play naked together?” Aang says miserably for the tenth time, eyes closed, bunched up in a ball on the ground. Zuko stands next to him, still nude as the day he was born.
“It’s a tradition.”
“It’s immodest!”
“It’s normal,” Zuko groans, resisting the urge to slap his forehead in frustration. “It shows male prowess!”
“Why do you have to show male prowess?”
“This is the Fire Nation you’re talking about, and we’re obsessed with showing off!”
“I can’t do it,” Aang shakes his head into his crossed arms. “Can’t, can’t, can’t…”
Zuko really, really doesn’t understand. “What’s the problem, anyway? We don’t ever, I don’t know, molest each other or anything.”
“That’s exactly what the problem is, Zuko,” Aang says, finally standing up.
He must be going fucking crazy. “What?”
“Fidelity and modesty,” Aang says, “are two of the things I’ve been taught to value. And…when you uncover your body, it should be for one person only. Showing your body to so many people-”
“It’s just a sport, Aang.”
“It’s not right,” He says, “it should only be with the person you love.” With a little hesitation and a small thanks anyway, Zuko, he disappears back into the palace. Zuko watches him leave with a deep frown of disbelief.
“Monks,” He grumbles, “are way too prude.”
Summary: It’s not gay, he tries to explain, it’s a Fire Nation tradition. Aang isn’t buying it.
Words: 497
Disclaimer: Avatar not owned by me
Warning: slash; written on impulse; un-edited
Introducing Aang into Fire Nation culture certainly wasn’t Zuko’s idea, it was hard enough easing him into fire-bending (a lesson never to be forgotten). But there is only one way to emerge the Avatar into the customs of his people, because he still gets bored from lectures.
“I know that you’re familiar with Fire Nation toys and games, you know, crackling cricket and the like,” Zuko begins with a weary look in his eye. “I can skip everything twelve and under, right?”
“Well…” Hopeful eyes consider.
“Great,” Zuko says curtly. Aang groans. Strict teacher, must not complain. Strict teacher, must not complain.
“Azula and I were trained from childhood,” Zuko says, “So do most of the upper class. The middle class, and if they’re lucky some of the lower class, begin training at thirteen.”
“So I wouldn’t start bending until now?”
“You would bend. And your parents would yell at you for not controlling it. And beat your bum with an iron rod and-anyway. You start training at thirteen.” Zuko clears his throat. “Non-benders begin athletics to discipline their bodies. Every citizen is obligated to serve its nation, so they have to prepare somehow. Benders sometimes use the games as a supplement.”
“Mhmm,” Aang says. I’m already losing him, Zuko grumbles.
“And here we are,” Zuko says as they near the edge of one of the courts. “I’m about to teach you the most popular and probably most useful game.”
Aang’s eyes spark immediately with the thought of activity. “I’m so ready for this, Zuko! I’m so-WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”
“…You play naked,” Zuko deadpans, and slips off his undergarments.
-
“Why do a bunch of boys play naked together?” Aang says miserably for the tenth time, eyes closed, bunched up in a ball on the ground. Zuko stands next to him, still nude as the day he was born.
“It’s a tradition.”
“It’s immodest!”
“It’s normal,” Zuko groans, resisting the urge to slap his forehead in frustration. “It shows male prowess!”
“Why do you have to show male prowess?”
“This is the Fire Nation you’re talking about, and we’re obsessed with showing off!”
“I can’t do it,” Aang shakes his head into his crossed arms. “Can’t, can’t, can’t…”
Zuko really, really doesn’t understand. “What’s the problem, anyway? We don’t ever, I don’t know, molest each other or anything.”
“That’s exactly what the problem is, Zuko,” Aang says, finally standing up.
He must be going fucking crazy. “What?”
“Fidelity and modesty,” Aang says, “are two of the things I’ve been taught to value. And…when you uncover your body, it should be for one person only. Showing your body to so many people-”
“It’s just a sport, Aang.”
“It’s not right,” He says, “it should only be with the person you love.” With a little hesitation and a small thanks anyway, Zuko, he disappears back into the palace. Zuko watches him leave with a deep frown of disbelief.
“Monks,” He grumbles, “are way too prude.”