Zuko Drabble
The gentle motion of the small, obsolete (in the eyes of the Fire Nation military) metal ship comforted him. Zuko was stretched out on his mattress which lay just a few inches off the floor of his cabin. It was almost completely dark, like what the bottom of the ocean must be like, Zuko thought.
The young prince, just days into his exile, sought out the darkness whenever he could. Uncle was cheerful and optimistic. The tea loving retired general encouraged his nephew to come above board and enjoy the salty sea air and sunshine. Zuko preferred to sulk.
He put his hand up to his face and felt the thick wad of bandage that still covered his burn. Iroh peeled it off every day and placed a smelly, greasy ointment on it to prevent infection and encourage the healing process. Zuko hadn't looked yet. Though unable to admit it to anyone, much less himself, the prince was terrified.
It still hurt and itched almost constantly. But the pain was nothing compared to the searing, howling agony that he endured moments after his father pushed that flaming fist directly onto the left side of his face. Zuko trembled and curled himself into a tight protective ball.
A soft knock on the cool hard metal of the door woke the young teen from his reverie. He shifted slightly but made no move to open the door and did not acknowledge the knock.
"Zuko," his uncle called. "It's a beautiful day. Why don't you come out of there and have a look around."
"Go away," he snarled in response.
The words hurt Zuko more than they did Iroh. He could picture his uncle sighing and shaking his head, then proceeding back above board to continue a game of Pai Sho. What did Uncle see in that game anyway? It was a waste of time….nothing else. His father didn't spend time playing games.
Much later, after he had picked at his dinner and Iroh had changed his bandage yet again, Zuko crept onto the deck. It was nearing midnight and was pitch black. The tiny sliver of a moon was hidden behind a mass of grey clouds. Zuko clenched the ship's rail and looked out into the huge expanse of ocean. His white bandage stood out starkly on the nearly deserted deck.
Maybe tomorrow he would come out into the light. The Western Air Temple would entice him.