I finally decided to write some Avatar fanfiction! Well, this is the first part of a story that's going to consist of a series of short vignettes (kind of like The House on Mango Street, except less insane). I thought that having shorter chapters would increase the likelihood of me actually finishing it, since I have about three other stories in the works.

Anyway, it takes place immediately after the episode "Bitter Work," and it's about Iroh and Zuko... And, you know, just the mundane things they do. Or in Zuko's case, try and fail to do. Anyway, enjoy!

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Ordinary Day

By Marie Goos

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Part 1: Peaches

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Iroh breathed in the heavy air that usually followed a storm, holding a cup of tea that, for once, he'd really rather not drink. To say that it was horrible would have been generous- extremely generous. He glanced about to make sure he wasn't being watched before he threw the tea into the campfire; it flared up for a moment, then settled down to its rhythmic crackling.

Footsteps sounded behind him, and he quickly pretended to be finishing off the last of his tea.

"I think I made the tea a little better this time." Zuko sat down in front of the fire, wielding precisely two nuts and a questionable looking mushroom. "I found breakfast." He looked rather doubtful about his meager haul.

"It looks... Delicious." He would have to teach Zuko how to hunt and forage as soon as he healed up properly. "I think I will only eat half of my nut. I have been meaning to go on a diet, and they are very filling."

As usual, Zuko merely stared.

"You know, laughter is a natural stress reliever."

"Laughter isn't going to help me catch the Avatar," Zuko grumbled.

Iroh refrained from arguing, instead holding up his cup. "Is there anymore of your delightful tea?" He thanked his lucky stars that he was a good liar; although, he wasn't sure of how well Zuko could detect a lie, in the first place.

Zuko hesitated only a moment before pouring some more tea for him.

Iroh took the smallest sip he could manage, trying his best not to make a face. "Ah, refreshing."

"Uncle..." Zuko set the pot down, looking as if he wanted to say something. "...I think we should move on, since you're feeling better."

He had a feeling that it wasn't was Zuko had intended to say, but he nodded. "I agree. Azula is most likely right behind the Avatar, and if we don't start moving soon we will lose track of both of them."

"Then we should go as soon as possible. I'll pack up and load the bird-horse, and-"

"Does it have a name?"

Zuko paused, looking slightly puzzled. "No, it doesn't have a name."

"Well, we just can't keep calling it 'the bird-horse.'"

"Why not? That's what it is, isn't it?"

"I say we call her Peaches." Iroh stood and approached the bird-horse, ignoring Zuko's horrified expression as he pet her nose. "Good morning, Peaches."

The bird-horse chirped happily in response.

"She likes it."

Zuko quickly jumped to his feet, shouting. "We are not naming that thing Peaches!"

"But she's already adopted the name," he replied calmly. "Look, you are scaring her."

Peaches gave a tremulous chirp.

"There, there, Peaches," he comforted.

"I'm not calling it Peaches!" Zuko raged.

"Alright," Iroh conceded. "If you hate the name that much, I think we can settle for Miss Pretty."

Zuko let out a wordless roar, then stomped off toward the abandoned house they'd been staying in.

"Peaches it is."

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Well, that's it for part one. Part two is in the works!