Zuko's Secret chapter 8

"Are you serious?" Jet asked Zuko, supporting him up with his arms.

"Yes!" Zuko cried, starting to sweat, still clutching to his belly.

"Don't worry." Sokka said. "Katara can probably help."

Katara looked at her brother. "What are you saying?" She asked, cautiously.

"Aren't you the one who helped Gran Gran deliver lots of babies back home, not to mention helped Than and Ying deliver their kid?" Sokka asked his sister, crossing his arms.

"Well... yeah," Katara said. "But I've never delivered for a boy before!"

"Don't worry." Iroh said. "I too have experience delivering children, for both men and women."

Sokka stared. "Just how many guys in the Fire Nation have that ability?" he asked.

"That's not important." Iroh said. Then he gave the orders. "Aang, I need you to get water. Toph, towels. Sokka, get a blanket to put over Zuko. Katara, you will help me with Zuko's delivery." He turned his attention to Jet and Zuko, who were still sitting down, Zuko starting to breathe heavily. "Just keep breathing, Prince Zuko."

So, Aang went to get the water, Toph went into the bathroom, and came back in with towels, and Sokka got a blanket and handed it to Iroh, and he put the blanket over Zuko's lower body. Jet held on tightly to Zuko's hand, letting him squeeze all he could.

Zuko leaned against the pillow chair, putting his free hand on his belly, cluthing the frabric of his shirt. With every contraction, now coming two minutes apart, Zuko squeezed Jet's hand as hard as he could. Jet didn't mind. He managed to not pay attention the pain Zuko was giving his hand. Zuko continued to breathe deeply, and somewhat slowly.

"You're doing great, Zuko." Iroh said, looking at Zuko's birth canal.

"Are you sure it comes out that way?" Katara said, still unsure of the situation.

"Yes, I am sure." Iroh said. "Zuko, get ready to push."

"Okay... I'll try..." Zuko said between breaths, not caring that he had to give birth like a woman.

"Just push when you feel the next contraction." Iroh instructed.

With that, another contraction went through Zuko's belly, and he pushed as hard as he could.

---

From the next room, Sokka, Toph, and Aang were sitting by the door, listening to the sounds of Zuko's pain-enduced yelling.

"That's it." Toph said to herself. "I'm never having kids."

"Me neither." Sokka said.

"Why?" Toph asked. "Do you have the ability to get knocked up?"

"What? No!" Sokka protested, shocked by what Toph said.

"Wait," Aang said. "Do you hear that?"

The trio listened carefully, and heared what sounded like a baby crying.

"It's a boy!" Katara said from the next room.

"We should wait." said Aang. "You know, to see if they want us to come in."

"Agreed." Sokka said. "I'm not ready to see a family of guys, especially if Zuko's the mom."

Toph snickered.

---

Iroh cleaned the baby with a damp towel, wrapped him in another towel, and handed him to Zuko, who was still somewhat tired from all the pushing.

"Congratuations, nephew." Iroh said, smiling.

Zuko smiled at his uncle, then turned his attention to his newly born son.

"Thank you, Uncle." Zuko said, his voice quiet and happy. "You too, Katara." Zuko looked up at the water tribe girl. "Thank you both for helping me." Katara smiled, and she walked out of the room. "And thank you, Jet." Jet smiled as Zuko looked at him. "You know.. for everything."

Zuko and Jet both looked at the child in Zuko's arms. The baby, in some ways, looked like his father. He had tan skin and brown hair already. The child snuggled in Zuko's arms, sucking his thumb.

"I'll leave you three alone now." said Iroh, leaving the room.

Jet put his arm around Zuko. "He's beautiful." he said.

The baby opened his eyes, and looked up at his parents. His eyes were gold, like Zuko's. He smiled at Zuko, and tugged at his shirt. He closed his eyes again, and fell asleep in Zuko's arms.

Seeing his boyfriend holding his newborn son really sent a warm glow through Jet's heart. He kissed Zuko's cheek, and Zuko returned that kiss on Jet's lips.

"I love you." Zuko said.

Jet almost couldn't believe he said that. Zuko just told him he loved him! And yet, he wasn't very shocked.

"I love you too." Jet said, smiling.

They leaned to each other, and Jet brushed his hand through Zuko's hair, as they kissed passionately.

---

Later that night, while Zuko was unbuttoning his shirt, Jet came in holding the baby. He was crying as Jet held him.

"Help.." Jet said, slightly bounceing the baby.

"What's wrong?" Zuko said, standing up.

"Jeko won't stop crying." Jet said, handing the baby to Zuko.

Zuko cradled Jeko in his arms, and sat down on the bed. After a few minutes, Jeko stopped crying, but then something stange happened...

Jeko latched onto Zuko's nipple.

Zuko just now realised, his chest hadn't at all grown out during his entire pregnancy, and he thought, how would they feed Jeko?

But, somehow, Jeko was suckling from Zuko's chest. Zuko didn't believe it was happening at first, but it was. Jeko was drinking from his nipple.

Jet was a little shocked at first, but then a smile spread across his face. He sat down next to Zuko.

Neither of them wanted to say anything at that moment. They both just quietly watched their son suckle the motherly milk from Zuko untill he fell asleep. Jet took Jeko and put him in his crib, and put a blanket over him.

Finally Zuko was able to take his shirt off and get into bed. Jet did the same and lay down next to Zuko, hugging him from behind.

"Good night." Jet whispered.

"Good night." Zuko whispered back.