This is the start of a series of vignettes about Zuko and Iroh's relationship over the years. To read other segments, head over to the amazing FictionIsSocialInquiry's story, also titled The Grey Beach. Link in my profile.
We recommend reading the stories in this order:
I. The Lesson (misszeldasayre)
II. The Bandage (FictionIsSocialInquiry)
III. Blood Traitor (misszeldasayre)
IV. Unsolicited Advice (misszeldasayre)
V. Silence is the Best Teacher (FictionIsSocialInquiry)
VI. An Alternative (FictionIsSocialInquiry)
VII. The Surprise (misszeldasayre)
VIII. The Grey Beach (FictionIsSocialInquiry)
I. The Lesson
The clock strikes one and all that is left behind is a discarded paper hat. And the last fire flake dumpling.
"Hands off, Zuzu, it's mine."
"But I saw it first—"
Azula's fist collides with his ribs, and Zuko finds himself sprawled in the sand. Grit coats his mouth as he spits fiery frustration, but his sister skips down the grey beach, dumpling in hand.
The guests have long gone, the bonfire long dwindled to embers, but Prince Zuko remains, pouting in Azula's wake.
His uncle sighs, rubbing his back as he rises from his lawn chair. "Prince Zuko, why are you crying?"
The boy glowers back, fire stinging his eyes. "I am not crying."
"It looks like there are no more dumplings on this tray," Iroh observes, the silver glinting like lightning in the moonlight.
"Azula took the last one." He balls up his hands at his uncle's chuckle.
"Prince Zuko, let me teach you a secret."
"I don't have time for your lessons, Uncle!"
"But you should always make time for dumplings." Leading his nephew by the shoulder, Iroh walks back from the beach to the royal family vacation's kitchen.
The chef wakes at Iroh's cough, spluttering as he straightens. "Your Highnesses!"
"Pardon me," Iroh says with a wink at Zuko, "but Prince Zuko's special birthday dumplings disappeared. They were… eaten by flying dolphin fish. Would you be so kind as to make us some more?"
The second batch of dumplings taste even better than the first, but Zuko falls asleep before he can tell Iroh, his belly full and his mind at peace.
Pro Bending Circuit Final Round
Team + Position: Laogai Lion Vultures, firebender
Part B: Choosing the Prince
Prompts Used: (title) The Gray Beach | (restriction) Start with the sentence, "The clock struck one and all that was left behind was a discarded paper hat." | (restriction) Include the following sentence three times: "Just because it's in a book, doesn't mean it's right."
Bonus: Use of my element (fire)
Word Count: 1,654 (including FictionIsSocialInquiry's vignettes)