So I decided to make a drabble series outta this idea of mine.
*
When Zuko left to find the Avatar, he swore nothing and no one would get in his way or halt his quest. So naturally, Iroh was shocked one morning when Zuko insisted they stop for the day.
"Could it be my nephew is having a moment of clarity?" he promted. Zuko rolled his eyes.
"Uncle, I know how you feel about all of this but I could've sworn you said you understood," he said. "And it's not that, it's Mai...you know how she was so tired the other day?"
Iroh paled.
"Prince Zuko, you didn't...oh, you're both so young, you're not ready for-"
"It's not that!" Zuko blurted out. "You have such a dirty mind, you know that, Uncle?"
"Hey, you share a room more nights out of the week than you don't!" Iroh started to laugh, stopping when Zuko glared at him again. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry."
"She has a cold," Zuko explained. "She says we should just go on ahead anyway and she'll stay below the decks, but I'd rather wait until she was feeling better to go ahead with our plans."
"Oh, I see." Iroh smiled. "You know, Prince Zuko, it takes much honor to put the needs of one's lady before one's own."
Zuko blushed furiously, biting the inside of his cheek.
"Anyway, could you make her some tea? I was just about to bring her a warm compress."
"Of course."
"Thanks." Zuko smiled a little. "For agreeing to stay, that is," he added quickly, but they both knew what he was really referring to.