Day #7: Liquor
Yes, Zuko is a former smoker in my AU headcanon. And the last name makes sense, okay? :[
*
"Dad called yesterday," Zuko says, and Aang automatically offers his pack of gum. Zuko hasn't smoked in two years, but his friends keep plenty of gum on hand in case he ever gets the urge to light up again. Especially when it comes to dealing with his father.
"Was he at least sober this time?" Aang asks. Zuko pushes a stick of gum into his mouth and nods.
"Thank God for small favors," he mutters. Even though it's no secret among their gang that his father's a drunk, Zuko still cringes and wishes they didn't know every time it's brought up. Ozai Sakada not only drank too much, but Al Bundy is a model father compared to him. At least Al Bundy never hit his kids or locked them out of the house or nearly burned the garage down. That last thing was what made their mother finally divorce him three years ago.
"What did he want?" Aang asks, and Zuko shrugs.
"Just wanted to check in on me, I guess," he sighs. "I talked to him for a few minutes before he asked for Azula, and that's why I'm here." Here being his uncle Iroh's apartment; Iroh gave him the key a long time ago "just in case", and it's come in handy. Even when Iroh isn't there he doesn't mind Zuko coming.
"Oh." Aang nods, and Zuko falls silent, chewing his gum furiously. While he wants as little to do with his father as possible, Azula had been very close to him and constantly flips back and forth between hating him and wanting him to come back. Three years, and the family's still in therapy, still hasn't gotten over the sheer dysfunction that was their lives since Zuko can remember.
But he remembers the happier times, too. Trips to the beach, watching the FOX lineup every Sunday night, Mom and Dad laughing while Zuko and Azula tried to see who could answer the most questions on Jeopardy only to lose to the older and wiser cousin Lu Ten.
"Zuko?" He suddenly feels Aang's hand on top of his and returns to the present. When he sees the concerned look in those wide gray eyes, he realizes he's about to cry. He forces back the tears and leaps up from the couch, spitting his gum out.
"I'm okay," he says. "Are you thirsty? I'll get us something to drink."
"Sure." Aang sits back, and Zuko heads for the fridge. Upon opening it, he sees a bottle of rice wine sitting on the top shelf...almost reflexively, he pushes it to the back. Iroh never drinks the way Dad did, but he doesn't need any reminders right now. He grabs two bottles of 7-Up and sits back down on the couch with Aang. Their hands close around each other, and slowly the uncomfortable feeling melts away.