ZW 2010 Day 5: Harmony

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Instruments

In his teahouse after the war, Uncle Iroh watches the children pair off. They haven't found their way yet, but they're still young, and there is time.

His cheeks puff out and his fingers curve around the cold metal of the tsungi horn. Uncle watches the young people carefully, though he pretends to be consumed by his instrument. Fire Lord Zuko is stiff, but not as rigid as he used to be, and Uncle smiles a little to himself. Zuko has done well.

The Avatar is every bit an airbender, buzzing around the room with the lightness of a cloud and the speed of a small bird riding the wind currents. But he is also calm, which Uncle suspects is a new development, a layer of maturity to go with the unusual responsibility upon his shoulders. Toph is sturdy like the element she bends, and today the scowl engraved on her face has been replaced by a smile (now if only the same thing would happen to his nephew!). Katara is flexible, motherly one moment and a friend the next. Zuko's inner flame has been tempered and controlled by time and experience, but he still lacks patience.

Uncle is unsurprised when Katara joins Aang on the balcony, if only because he's seen this story before. The Avatar has brought peace, he has given her hope and restored balance. And Katara is water; she must push and pull, give and take. She has taken, and now she must give, even if she hasn't realized it yet. Just the same, he reflects, puffing on the mouthpiece of the horn, the Avatar is happy, and Katara is happy, which is a good balance. He sneaks a glance at Zuko, standing rigidly next to Mai and looking at the painting over Sokka's shoulder. A good balance, but imperfect.

Or perhaps it's not imperfect, perhaps he's biased in favor of his nephew, who is just off balance enough around Katara that she's either threatened to kill him or Fire Lord Zuko has a crush. The two emotions are markedly similar (at least in Zuko, whose restlessness can indicate any one of several possible moods.

Katara attaches herself to the Avatar, and Zuko follows Mai around the teashop with equal devotion. Their melodies are soft, soothing, as each instrument moves through the notes. Just the same, Uncle thinks it might get monotonous after a while. They'll need variety; they'll want to play both harmonies and melodies. They must be just different and just similar enough to complement each other. But these things take time. He won't meddle.

There is no discord, thank the Spirits, Uncle muses, but there's not harmony yet either.

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AN: Thanks to jacpin2002 for your continued support, both here and on AO3. I always look forward to your feedback :)

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this one, so I hope y'all get something out of it.