Fire Nation Capital
Even though being Fire Lord meant Zuko always had menial duties to attend to, he never missed his morning tea with his Uncle Iroh. Iroh had set up tea at their usual spot, the patio near Zuko's favorite turtle duck pond.
"You know Uncle, I'm glad you convinced make this our regular tea spot. I used to love this pond because of my mom. It held such special memories so I eventually made it mine and Mai's pond. Honestly Uncle, if it weren't for you I don't think I would've been able to come back here. I still get sad sometimes when I think about Mai, but I am glad for the time we had together. I'm ready to live my life again."
"Zuko, after my son died, I didn't know if I would ever be able to live or breathe or feel joy again. But you became my surrogate child, you know this, and it brought warmth back to my heart. I could never replace my son, but we are made for connections with other people. I cannot force you to open your heart if you aren't ready, but my boy, please do not shut yourself off forever." Iroh sipped his Oolong as he watched Zuko's facial expressions, trying to read the boy, no, young man, he loved so deeply.
Zuko looked at his tea and took a long, deep breath before replying, "Uncle, I don't think I'm ready to pair my soul with another right now. I, I don't know. I will always love Mai, and I will miss the daughter I only knew for those few moments. My heart is at an impasse though. I would never try to replace the small family I had, but I loved being a husband. And the thought of being a father," the crack in Zuko's voice made Iroh's eyes water, "I didn't know love like that could exist until I saw little Ursa."
Iroh chose his words carefully, wanting to be honest but without pushing too far. Ever the wise man he said, "Zuko, you will always love Mai and baby Ursa. But you are a young man and it is not wrong to want to love again. Writing a new story for yourself does not negate the previous. It adds more chapters to your life. Please, do not rob yourself of joy. You are far too young to do so. Ha! A kind, strong, intelligent Fire Lord like yourself will have no problem finding a lovely companion! Besides, good looks run in the family."
Zuko gave a soft laugh at his uncle's sly laugh and wink. It was the laugh that helped heal his Uncle's heart after the loss of his own son.
"My boy, is there not another you could consider courting? Or even finding companionship with?"
Zuko took a sip of his now cold chamomile tea. He doubted whether he should respond and get not only Uncle Iroh's hopes up, but his own too. But, never able to disappoint his uncle Zuko said, "Uncle, Mai had my heart for so many years when we were children. Then the war happened and we reconnected. I promise you my eyes never wandered when we were together, but towards the end of the war, Mai and I weren't together. Only one other woman has genuinely caught my eye. But after Mai and I got married, we lost touch. It didn't seem appropriate to me. Besides, she's been committed to someone else for years now."
"Ahh, so the waterbender still, eh?"
Zuko rolled his eyes. "Yes Uncle, the waterbender. I can't compromise any of the relationships though. I made my choice, and I don't regret it. And she chose Aang. I don't want to cause any friction but with Mai being gone, Katara has wandered back into my heart. I don't think that's something I can abandon. What do you think?"
"Zuko, all I want is your happiness. This situation is like a dual layered lotus tile."
"Uncle Iroh! I am being serious!"
Iroh belly laughed at his nephew's teenage-esque whining. "I know, I know. Bare with me. On one side of the tile, you have honor, on the other, joy. But I do not think they are mutually exclusive. Instead of laying the tile face down and choosing only one side, find a way to play it standing up. Be honorable, respecting your friendship with the waterbender and young avatar by not going out of your way to cause problems. But also choose joy, if fate rewards your honor, take your joy, hold onto it, and do not let it go."
"But how do I do that? How do I hold onto joy if it belongs to someone else?"
"My boy, the young avatar is turning into a wise man but he has yet to fully commit to beautiful Katara. Something is amiss. I don't know what it is, but no man in his right mind makes a woman like that wait so long. I am not telling you search into the private lives of others, but for now, reinvest in your friendship with the waterbender and see what happens. If the avatar waits too long to appreciate the gift he has, I think you might find another opportunity. If that's the case, do not insult fate when she has given you a second chance."
"Thank you Uncle." Zuko used his bending to warm his tea. Before long, he was looking at his beloved Uncle through the steam as he lifted the cup to his mouth.
