A. N. : New chapter, starring Iroh's inconditional love. A ray of light just as this story is about to get pretty dark... and pretty blank, because my plans only got as far as... maybe 5 more chapters ? I'm trying.

Iroh is coming home early.

He can't wait to tell his nephew about his day. A tea shop in the Upper Ring ! It's a dream come true ! He'll have to find a name… Ah, he can't wait to make his own blend.

Now let's just hope Zuko will share his joy.

Iroh sighs. Zuko's reaction… well… he has softened since he found Lin. Even more now that he's made friends with these three children. His constant anger has receded, a bit – Iroh will never thank the Spirits enough for that. To see Zuko allow himself to smile at times is a blessing.

He knows the scar will never disappear, but if it could at least stop bleeding –

Perhaps a more stable life would help. If they could find someone to take care of Lin, Zuko could help with the tea shop – Iroh's own tea shop – and start healing, away from Ozai, away from Azula, away from that Spirits-forsaken mission.

That young man, Jet, knows about Lin's bending, but he seems too unstable to look after her. Maybe one of his friends could – the girl is probably a bit young, but the silent boy looks mature enough.

Maybe there is hope.

Maybe – if Zuko starts wishing for change himself. Iroh has been trying to lead him there, slowly, but Ozai's influence on him, the harm he inflicted on his child – it always stood in the way, stronger than the walls of Ba Sing Se. But having responsibility thrown on him in the form of Lin is changing Zuko. He is starting to see the wrongs in Ozai's ways – the constant attention he shows to the baby is proof of that.

Or if he doesn't see it yet, he will soon.

Yes, there is hope. So long as Zuko is given the time he needs, he will see the light.

Spirits, let the Avatar's bison that Iroh saw from the ferry be a trick of his tired mind.

He opens the door and can't hide his surprise – Jet is in the apartment.

Not just that. He is holding Lin in his arms – and why is there a bucket next to him ? And Zuko – Agni, his poor nephew – Zuko is sitting so still and with the same haunted look he has after a nightmare and what happened here ?

Iroh takes a few more steps inside, notices the teapot – a fine gesture of hospitality on his nephew's part, though knowing his abilities – takes a good look at Lin – she seems fine, chewing on Jet's arm, and the young man barely looks up when he hears Iroh, his eyes are fixated on Zuko, like he is going to disappear, to burn down at any second.

This is a look Iroh has seen on soldiers who survived the same battles. Who know of each others' nightmares, who always look to make sure they don't break. It doesn't belong on a child's face.

Spirits. Lu Ten's death made him realize how much he'd hurt other people in this war. But to see a child with a veteran's eyes, with the same nightmares – and Spirits, he knows of Zuko's scars, he sees Zuko as his equal, and how could Iroh not realize exactly the pain his nephew suffered at the hands of Ozai, and how can a father have the same effect as war on a child –

And Iroh would hug his nephew, maybe Jet too, to soothe them, even if just a little, but Zuko is too proud to accept him, and he doesn't know Jet well enough.

So he does what he can, brews some more tea, speaks softly to Zuko, holds Lin once the tea is served, talks about the good news and tries to get Jet to suggest names for the shop, always gently, always tenderly, like a father should.

When the two other children appear, looking for their leader, he welcomes them with a smile, invites them to have dinner at home. And the silent one helps him with the cooking while the girl watches Lin and Jet makes sure to always have the bucket near him and doesn't leave Zuko's side, even when talking to someone on the other side of the apartment.

The children know something isn't right, but they act like Iroh does, like they are used to this, and maybe they are after spending so much time with Jet, who has the eyes of a broken soldier, and probably even more in common with one than Iroh wants to think about.

And Iroh knows they can't hide forever, knows the war is still here, knows the time will come when Zuko will have to choose Good or lose himself. Iroh knows that, but he hopes the small peace they have here at the moment will last as long as possible.

If he can make a home for Zuko to come back to, he will even renounce the Jasmine Dragon.