A/N: After thinking about Sokka, I thought about the Boiling Rock and it inspired this drabble. I think Zuko would have been a crazy mixture of happy and sad after the prison rescue.
Zuko Drabble #21
Ruminations after The Boiling Rock
Zuko sat in a corner of the large airship as it made its way back to the Western Air Temple. He was huddled in on himself, arms wrapped around the knees of his simple red prison uniform. No one needed him right now. Chit Sang was keeping the airship afloat and he seemed happy to do the job.
Bits of conversation floated on the air back to him. Sokka's excited voice rose above that of his father and his girlfriend. The Water Tribesman was so thrilled to see them both. Zuko was truly happy for his new friend but that happiness didn't stop the creeping sense of melancholy from seeping its way slowly into his mind.
Sokka' father, Hakoda was his name, was obviously a good man, one who loved and protected his family, one who accepted his children for who they were. Zuko wondered if Sokka realized just how lucky he was to have a father like that. They were so easy with each other, their conversation and laughs flowing naturally. Zuko could almost feel the warmth when he stood near the father and son.
And Sokka just happened to see Suki, a girl he was obviously in love with, at the prison and she became part of their rescue and escape. Of course, Zuko saw his girlfriend at the Boiling Rock too. Their reunion was a little different, stressful and tense, and ending badly with Zuko locking her in his cell. Despite that, she saved his life and no doubt incurred Azula's wrath. Zuko found it so hard to believe that anyone would sacrifice so much for him, even though he knew Mai cared. He just didn't consider himself worth the effort.
The young firebender dragged his hands through his dark hair and sighed deeply. Mai was tough and could look after herself but Zuko was still terrified for her. He wanted to turn the damn ship around and drag her out of that hellish place. But he couldn't. He knew it and Mai knew it. She would probably kill him herself if he made an attempt. No, he had to use her gift wisely, continue to teach the avatar and bring down the rotten regime that ruled the Fire Nation and wanted the rest of the world under its thumb too.
Later that evening, as the group laughed and told stories and basked in the return of loved ones, Zuko rose quietly and moved away from the orange glow of the campfire. He walked alone under the moon and stars, thinking about Mai and Iroh and how good it would feel when he saw them again. He hoped that he would make them both proud.