I do not own A:TLA. Stop rubbing it on my face!
Made this one nice and long to make up for how short the others have been. I love Zuko. Even if I'm bad at writing with him.
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Zuko: Unshed
Tuesday.
Everyone has their weaknesses. But emotions are for fools. They show those weaknesses.
His father's words rang in his ears as Zuko watched Aang and Katara. He felt his hands ball into fists anyway.
One day your temper will kill you, Zuzu.
His sister's taunting almost made him growl aloud. He wanted to run away. Run away for a long time. Until he could look at her face again without feeling this way.
"Love is not an emotion, Zuko. It is a choice."
Startled, he realized that the voice hadn't come from his memories but the man standing behind him. "Uncle!"
The older man stood with his hands clasped behind his back and a patient expression on his face; now he spread his arms and gestured his nephew to come forward, not speaking again until they were alone in the tea shop. "You are confused, nephew."
"I do NOT love Katara! She's... like a little sister! Of course, as a compliment, not as a comparison to Azula or-" the boy froze, realizing Iroh hadn't mentioned Katara at all.
The Dragon of the West smiled knowingly, as if he had heard all he needed to. Zuko threw his hands up in defeat. "Fine, I'm confused. What now?"
His uncle got up, face impassive. "First, Zuko, we have some tea. Calm your mind." For a moment it was like old times again, back on the barge, back to chasing the avatar- he certainly hadn't felt so conflicted since then, to say the least.
Iroh returned, carrying a steaming pot and a broad grin, whisking Zuko out of his reverie. Obediently he drank from the cup in his hand and waited. "Zuko, you must open your mind, not clear it. Embrace your emotions, nephew. They will not weaken you. Truth is not the opposite of lies, Zuko- it is the cause. Do not lie to miss Katara, or you will be sorry." Here the old man broke into a smile and winked at his nephew before leaving Zuko to his tea.
--
Zuko stood in the courtyard again, watching them. Aang slipped an arm casually around her shoulder. "So, Katara, how's life?"
"Fine Aang, thanks." Katara seemed almost to be shrugging him off, much to Zuko's pleasure.
"Haven't had a hard time with any old Dai Li agents, because if they get their-"
"Aang! I can protect myself- just stop it!" Since they'd gotten together, Aang had become a different kid. He was suddenly the overprotective boyfriend instead of the smiling thirteen year old they'd grown used to. Seeing Katara babied made Zuko angry. He knew it was her least favorite thing in the world.
"I'm sorry Katara..." he said hurriedly. "I just... don't want anything to hurt you." And before she could protest, he kissed her right on the lips. The Water Tribe girl couldn't hold back the shocked gasp but allowed him to keep kissing, not wanting him to figure out the way she really felt these days.
Finally it was over. Katara let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. Zuko caught her eye as she looked around and suddenly she seemed to be holding back tears.
But Katara was turning now, heading through the door and into the tea shop. And before he could think better of it, Zuko followed her.
"Katara..."
She whirled around, almost spilling the hot tea but bending it back into the cup just in time. "Zuko!" Quickly she stood straighter and attempted to compose herself, but the greeting and the streaks on her face told him everything he needed to know.
"What's wrong?" He asked, blunt as always but still.. tender, somehow. Like he actually cared.
"I- I don't really wanna talk about it..."
Love is not an emotion Zuko, it is a choice.
"You know... loving him... it's your decision. It's a choice. So... you don't have to let him... act like that..." Zuko stumbled over his uncle's words.
Truth is not the opposite of lies, Zuko, it is the cause.
"And... truth isn't the opposite of lying. It's WHY people lie. So... you know... it's better to just... tell him how you feel." He struggled on, not sure if the girl was even listening until she lifted her head.
"Zuko... thank you." She laughed. "You blow Sokka away on the brotherly-advice scale!"
Zuko couldn't help grinning- she was happy. But when she swept out of the room, the words sunk in. Just like a brother...
He couldn't help wondering what Azula would think of his situation. Probably wait for him to start crying. But he never cried. He didn't cry when he was scarred, when he was banished, when he was hated, when he was alone. Zuko. didn't. cry.
Besides, this was hardly worth crying about. He thought of the last time he'd tried to have a relationship with someone.
You could have at least looked me in the eye when you ripped out my heart!
He winced at the memory. But Mai wasn't the right one for him. They never would have been happy together.... Or would they..?
Frivolity is for imbeciles who think they can afford it.
With Ozai's words still ringing in his ears, Zuko took this latest trial to the darkest corner of his mind, the place of tears unshed.
--
*holds up hands* I know, I know, Aang was way OOC. And Katara.... and Zuko... and.... okay, you know what? I did my best. It's my first fanfic people! Cut a kid some slack! Well, that's all for now! R&R!
