(no subject)

[princeinexile]

He was sodden to the bone; at least, it felt like as he rode back up to the broken farmhouse upon the cliff. The beast beneath him stank of musk and rainwater, and Zuko was certain, with the dust of the road on his skin, he wasn't much better.

Dismounting, he tied the ostrichhorse to a pole, and took the saddle from it's back and hung it out to dry. His shirt was next, as he came inside to the tiny fire and his uncle, stripping down to the skin and sliding into his bedroll, curling his arms around the pillow.

He didn't know what to say to his uncle at first, so for the moment, he allowed silence to linger.

Finally, he managed: "...I never got to test it."

He failed in that, too.

Comments

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

Iroh almost says that he's a bit glad about that. He did say that lightning was dangerous, didn't he? He's surely not supposed to comisserate that the nephew he loved wasn't struck by lightning?

But he knows that there's more to this than lightning or no lightning, and he wants his nephew to resolve the issue.

So, there's one thing that always works.

"A cup of tea, nephew?"

[princeinexile]

Zuko is cold, and maybe a teensy bit shivery.

Tea, on the other hand, is hot. But his uncle shouldn't be taking care of him. Not when Azula almost killed him.

So he sits up, mumbling, "I'll make it, uncle." Pooling his blanket across his lap and sets to making some of his-- bracing tea.

Not that he can't be stopped.

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

This must be avoided at all costs!

"Do not put yourself out, nephew. You are cold, and I am getting better with every minute that passes. To make tea is a joy, regardless, and one that will surely speed my recovery."

He's still not entirely well enough to make the tea without any pain, probably. But definitely not well enough to drink Zuko's idea of tea.

[princeinexile]

"But--"

Zuko is not one to deny his uncle's joys in life, but he is wounded. "Are you sure?" He is more then a little suspicious, and a little concerned to boot. "I'm certain-- I could make the tea, uncle."

Make it undrinkable, maybe.

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

But Iroh's already got the pot, and is merrily sorting out the tea things. Success! Iroh has gained the initiative and there will be no awful nephew-tea today.

"I'm certain you could, too," Iroh says, conciliatory, and secretly meaning undrinkable himself. "But allow me this simple pleasure, nephew."

And he's already about his business, setting up that happy, happy tea-process.

[princeinexile]

If Zuko knew his tea was a crime against humanity, he might simply try and poison the enemy, with a polite, peaceful surrender dinner. Sadly, he doesn't know and is not that cunning or vicious, honestly. And he'd probably lose his nerve and demand an Agni Kai over the insult to his tea.

For now, though, he just watches his uncle in worried silence, attempting to appear casual and nonchalant about the whole he seems better; is he going to be okay? He's tough as nails, he'll be fine, right? that is currently playing out on repeat behind his eyes.

[ginsengdragon.livejournal.com]

Iroh seems to be bearing out his nephew's good opinion of him; the Dragon of the West has faced worse in his time! Once or twice, but only once or twice, he can't quite contain a pained wince enough that Zuko wouldn't notice - but immediately afterwards, he's always back to the tea and changing the subject. And it's not long before there are two cups of perfectly-made tea, one to an uncle's tastes and one to a young prince's.

Iroh hands over the appropriate cup with the standard smile, and does not speak.

[princeinexile]

"How long will your recovery take, you think?" Zuko asks, and there is a measure of guilt in his tone; he knew this was coming, he knew, he knew and could have prevented, forewarned but not forearmed--

--dammit, he's going to kick himself for days.

But the old man won't suspect the Bar gave him knowledge of the time before Now, even if Iroh himself was one ahead in Time, before his beloved Nephew, knowing that Zuko was going to walk away, on his own, for a time.

"We won't travel again until you're well enough. The Avatar and his companions seemed quite haggard, and hopefully-- Azula will need time to recoup her efforts as well," he went on to say, looking into his tea before he finally took a sip.

Uncle did make very good tea, and he is thankful for warmth in his belly; the creases on his brow and the tightness to his eyes melts away, slowly slipping from his face.