Normal people have hearts that beat, but Iroh's heart just goes BREAKBREAKBREAK. He loved and loved and loves and it just doesn't change anything. He loved his son, he loved his son more than anything in the world, but he was killed, and all because of his foolish father. And Ozai - Iroh's brother. Iroh had loved his brother like any older sibling loves his baby brother, but then everything changed, and Ozai was Fire Lord, and, and and...
And Iroh hid all these behind his lazy words and his games and his tea because of Zuko. His nephew needs him again, SOMEONE needs him again, and it feels good to be a father again, it feels good to have a brother again, it feels good to have a friend...
Wow. I was in the midst of writing another Avatar story (one which I shall post soon - it's almost done) and this thought just came to me. Personally, I think Iroh does have all this pain, but he just hides it for Zuko, of course. And, I know, technically this isn't a fanfiction, but it's close enough. Hope you like! Once again, review and tell me whether or not to just throw out my computer now and live in the streets as a hobo in shame. :'(