Disclaimer: A:TLA is Mike and Brians

Prompt: 60: Pride

Takes Place: Sozin's Comet

Characters: Zuko, Iroh.


Iroh knew he'd been there the entire night. Old as he was, Iroh was far from senile when it came to his nephew. He knew that Zuko had entered the tent, ready to apologize for everything he'd done under Ba Sing Se. But Iroh was scared of what he would say to Zuko, scared of driving the boy away. And so, he'd feigned sleep for a while, until he actually fell asleep. Bieng a Firebender meant he rose with the sun, and he wasn't surprised to see Zuko still there. He'd looked at his nephew out of the corner of his eye, then looked away. Zuko's breath hitched.

"Uncle...I know you must have mixed feelings about seeing me. But I just want you to know...I'm so sorry, Uncle." Iroh's eyes squeezed shut. It was getting hard to keep himself from reaching out to the boy, but he knew his nephew's pride would be damaged beyong repair if he acted now. So he let him continue, even though it hurt to hear the pain in his voice.

"I am so sorry, and ashamed of what I did. I know I can't ask you to forgive me, but I..." Agni damn Zuko's pride! Iroh reached out before Zuko could even react, and he trapped the teen in a hug as tears of his own fell.

He was proud of Zuko. He was proud of his son.


Heart's Note: (sniffles) The Zuko/Iroh reunion was made of Win.