"Just A Little Tea"
for #83: Tea
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He wouldn't drink it. Couldn't even bring himself to the slightest sip for so long. He opted instead for less royal beverages; most those with a strong alcoholic tang. He'd drink anything to keep from it.
He blamed it on the old man. He blamed the look, or lack thereof, given to him on that day.
The boy—because "man" was just another honor he'd never be worthy of—was too bullheaded to drop his pride for an instant. Not even when his uncle's dying wish was for "just a little tea" with his nephew. Although, Azula kept the message from being delivered until after the execution.
So their uncle died alone.
It all hit Zuko at once. Memories of deaths, betrayals and all other evils of his life came stampeding back like a herd of wild ostrich horses. He couldn't stop from wishing, praying, begging for just one more pot of tea with his uncle. Even more, he couldn't stop from drinking it. Maybe he thought that by drowning himself in it, he'd be able to take back everything he'd done.
In the end, Zuko found himself wondering if Heaven's tea tasted like ginseng or jasmine, because all Hell's tasted like was regret.
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An interesting little piece spawned at 2 o'candle. Hope you enjoyed it! And well, I know that fangirls/boys will probably get mad at me for picking on Zuko so much lately but…it's soooo much fun.
The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.
-Harriet Beecher Stowe
MCL