IV. Unsolicited Advice
"The Kemurikage… or whatever they are… their attacks have only grown stronger. They've taken Tom Tom and Kiyi, and a dozen other children from the city." Zuko's frown, reflected in his tea, deepens.
Iroh peers over the rim of his cup. "There's something else bothering you, Zuko."
Zuko almost touches his head to make sure his hair hasn't burst into a blaze. "It's nothing."
His uncle just waits, stirring sugar into his tea. Sure enough, Zuko feels the words flare out of him like fire meeting fuel. "Mai thinks our chance has passed. That it's time for us to move on."
"I thought my chance for tea tonight had passed when I dressed for bed, but—" The old general shrugs at the cup and biscuits set before him. "Now what do I always say?"
"Just because it's in a book, doesn't mean it's right?" Iroh shakes his head, but Zuko forges ahead. "I need to show her I can handle the threat of the New Ozai Society. Then she'll realize that I've grown, that I won't hurt her again."
"Zuko," Iroh says so gently that his nephew is reminded of smoke slipping through flames. "You don't need to prove that you've grown. You just need to let her alone."
"Uncle—"
"Now is the time for finding those children and protecting the throne. Tomorrow you will have time to rekindle your romance, should the lady desire."
"But—"
"Wait for her to come around," Iroh says, tone brooking no argument. After finishing his tea, he looks up with a twinkle. "And if she does not, I have an excellent young lady in mind for you."
"Uncle!"