14. iroh and zuko
"Did I ever thank you for following me into banishment?", Zuko asked while he observed his newborn son's every movement.
"There was never a need for that."
Iroh caressed his grandnephew's tan skin, his soft, black hair.
"Did I ever thank you for sticking with me the way you did?", the young Fire Lord continued.
"You did. Where are you going with this, Nephew?"
Zuko exhaled and a smile tugged on his lips when little Roku wrapped his fingers around the tip of his thumb.
"I am a father now, Uncle. And without you, I wouldn't be sitting here, with my son and my beautiful wife sleeping just a few rooms away. I don't know if I'd even be alive today if it hadn't been for you. My mother planted good in me, but without you, there wouldn't have been anybody to nurture it. I was so angry and I was so ... lost ... and you never would've left my side for even a second if I hadn't pushed you away. And when we found eachother again, you hugged me and forgave me without even thinking about it. You always saw something in me nobody else could see. And I am grateful for everything you did for me. I am so very grateful."
Iroh touched Zuko's shoulder.
"Without you, I wouldn't know how to be a father. I wouldn't know who I was. I'd still be lost. What I'm trying to say, I guess, is ... you always were more of a father to me than Ozai. And it would be an honor to call you my son's grandfather."
Zuko looked up, met his eyes.
"I already consider you his grandfather, anyway."
"As I consider him my grandson."