Zutara Week. Day Two. History.

"Brave soldier boy...comes marching..."

Fire Lord Zuko closed the door to Iroh's suite, inconspicuously wiping at his face as he did so. It was his cousin's birthday today. This was the only day of the year that his uncle chose fire whiskey over ginseng tea.

They all lost many people throughout their lives. He his mother, Ursa and Iroh his wife and son, Lu Ten.

So much loss got to you sometimes. Even if Zuko kept it inside, there were times when he would explode with fire and rage. Anger at himself for not being awake when his mother held him for the last time. Regret for not getting out of his studies fast enough to go see his cousin and uncle off when they left for the war. Sadness at having to see Iroh cry for his lost family. Disappointment for hurting his wife by almost partaking in her best friend's death. It went on and on.

But, there was nothing he could do but bear it. He hefted his past onto his shoulders, living with his and his family's mistakes every day of his life. Sighing heavily, the twenty-three year old made his way through the corridors of the palace to go find his wife.

The Fire Lord entered the nursery to find the Fire Lady holding their son as she looked out the window. She turned when he opened the door and she looked at him with worry in her cerulean eyes.

"How is he?" Katara asked.

"What do you think?" he sighed as he sat in a chair. "I wish he didn't have to suffer like this."

Katara got up from her seat to walk over to him, the child cooing happily. "I know...I wish there was something I could do to help him," she said while bouncing her three month old in her arms. He gave a delighted squeal at his mother's attention and Katara smiled, nuzzling him. She looked up at her husband, noticing his tired face and the dark circles under his eyes. The waterbender moved closer, offering their child to him. "Zuko…hold your son."

The Fire Lord looked up at the boy who stared at him with pure innocence in his eyes. His son, the new Crown Prince. Zuko nodded and she moved to lay the boy in his father's warm embrace.

He looked down at Takero, moving his hand so he'd support the baby's head with his palm. As Zuko got more comfortable for him, Takero got comfortable in his father's arms, trying to capture more of his inner fire's warmth. Katara looked lovingly at her two boys and put a hand on her husband's cheek, capturing his attention and a smile from him.

"He loves you, Zuko. No matter how much you doubt it, we've created something so beautiful and pure. Takero could never not love you," Katara said softly. After a silent moment, Takero laughed joyfully, his golden eyes brightening, causing Zuko to smile down at him and hold him closer.

Zuko looked into her eyes, desperation in his golden ones at her words. What if he was a horrible father, just like his own? What if his son hated him? What would he do?

Katara smiled reassuringly and gave a slight shake of her head. "I would never let him not love you."

The Fire Lord nodded slowly and swallowed heavily, looking away. "...I've done many things that I could never forgive myself for in the past. Many things that I would never want Takero to know about," Zuko said sadly. "Everyone knows my family history from the past decades is disgraceful. And Takero will have to learn about it. To learn about my shame." The Fire Lord looked up at his wife, his amber eyes flashing with determination. "But I promise, I will protect you and our children from whatever could be thrown at us. I will protect you from the fate my uncle has been thrown into and I will make sure something like that would never happen to us," he vowed.

Katara stared at him with sad aqua eyes, a small smile on her lips. She reached out and caressed his marred cheek, moving her thumb in small circles under his damaged eye. She went to speak but his next words stopped her from voicing her reassurance.

"And I promise you, from the bottom of my soul, that history will never repeat itself."

The Fire Lady nodded as tears came to her eyes. Bending at the waist, Katara took Takero out of Zuko's arms and then sat in her husband's lap. He wrapped his arms around her and they sat quietly as a small family, a sad history behind them as their child cooed and smiled at his parents.

Their child that they knew could keep history in the right place once they were gone.

Yay, for Day 2! I really like History. It's a little sad but heart warming at the same time.

This is mostly for my beautiful friend, IFeltHope44 because she adores Takero. (:

Review, please.