|•|W I T 卄 E R||•| Zuko X Reader ⚠SLOWBURN⚠

Lenses of the Storm

"There is a storm coming. A big one." Iroh hummed, sniffing the air. "You're out of your mind, Uncle." Zuko said, walking towards Iroh, "The weather's perfect. There's not a cloud in sight."
"What I'm curious about is how you can tell by smelling the air!" You were practicing a your bending, and decided to join the conversation.

Zuko was right, the weather was surprisingly nice. But at the same time, you had a feeling Iroh knew what he was talking about, considering he probably had to sail to Ba Sing Se. "A storm is approaching from the north." Iroh determined, glancing at Zuko. "I suggest we alter our course and head southwest."

"We know the Avatar is moving northward, so we will do the same." Zuko declared. "Prince Zuko, consider the safety of the crew." Iroh said, sternly. "The safety of the crew doesn't matter!"Zuko shouted, attracting lieutenant Jee's attention. You stopped bending and stared at Zuko in shock.
"Did... Did you really just say that?"

"Yes, I did." He replied, coldly. "Saying that is absolutely insane! Your crew has done so much to help you, and you don't even care if you endanger them!? Where's the caring prince that helped me after Zhao screwed up my leg?" You exclaimed. Zuko looked away from you and scowled, but didn't respond.

Jee walked up to Zuko, looking him in the eyes. Unafraid, Zuko advanced towards lieutenant Jee. "...Finding the Avatar is more important than any individual's safety." He stated, moving past and angering Jee. "He doesn't mean that. He's just all worked up." Iroh said, trying to defuse the ticking time bomb which was Jee's patience.

"He-... He's so different now..." You whispered. What... What happened when you were gone?

Was... Was it your fault he had changed so much?

Was it... your fault? Because... You... Abandoned him?

And whatever lies they told him about you... Have been planted into his mind. And... they only seem to be growing.

"Y/N, you seem stressed." Iroh walked to your side, concern evident in his voice. "I... Honestly, I am." You admitted, crossing your arms to comfort yourself. "I see. In that case, why don't we play Pai Sho together, and have a hot cup of tea?" Iroh grinned, cheering you up a bit. "That... sounds great. Thank you, Iroh." You smiled.

Iroh was right about the storm.

The sky was consumed by massive grey clouds, occasionally lit up by thunder, as far as your eyes could see.
You, Lieutenant Jee, and a few more crew members stared at the sky in awe. The last time you saw a storm like this was back in the Fire Nation.
"Looks like your uncle was right about the storm after all." Jee taunted Zuko, angering him. "Lucky guess." Iroh beamed. "Lieutenant! You better learn some respect, or I will teach it to you." Zuko yelled, walking off.

"What do you know about respect?" Lieutenant Jee asked. You and Iroh gave each other glances. He raised his hand to his throat and made a cutting motion. You nodded your head. Zuko stopped in his tracks, his back facing Lieutenant Jee.

"The way you talk to everyone around here, from your hard working crew to your esteemed uncle, shows you know nothing about respect." Iroh gasped, placing a hand on his forehead. Was Jee really wrong? You crossed your arms in anticipation.
Hoh boy.

"You don't care about anyone but yourself! Then again, what should I expect from a spoiled prince?" Lieutenant Jee yelled. Zuko whirled around and extended his hand, ready to attack the lieutenant. Jee prepared to do the same, mimicking Zuko's pose.

"Easy now." Iroh said. The two crossed their wrists. Zuko glared at the lieutenant, smoke rising from his hand. "Enough!" Iroh pulled the two away from each other, "We're all a bit tired from being at sea so long. I'm sure after a bowl of noodles, everyone will feel much better."

"I don't need your help keeping order on my ship." Zuko stated. Him and Lieutenant Jee walked away in opposite directions.

§€——————^v———————∆§

"I'm sick of taking his orders! I'm tired of chasing his Avatar!" Lieutenant Jee sat down, talking to a couple of crew members, including you. "He... Wasn't always like this." You sighed. "What, was he worse? Who does he think he is?"

"Do you really want to know?" Iroh stepped towards you and Jee. Lieutenant Jee stood up in shock. "General Iroh. We were just-", Iroh shook his head. "It's okay. May I join you?" He asked. "Of course, sir."

Iroh sat down with you, Jee, and the other crew members. "Try to understand.", Iroh stroked his beard, "My nephew is a complicate young man. He has been through much."

Zuko sat alone in his cabin, thinking back to the past. Back to the start of everything. When you and his mother left on that night.

At the time, he didn't have a clue what to believe. That you had died because he had done something to make you want to leave, or you never actually cared about him. The two, and what he was led to believe, only possibilities.

He didn't want you to be gone forever. But he didn't want you to be a liar.
He wanted those memories you both shared to be genuine. He couldn't believe that you'd try to manipulate him like that. So... You had died that night. Because of him.

It hurt, but at least he could cherish the memories you shared. Then you landed on his ship.

Maybe he was seeing things? Hearing things? The possibility you died was out the window. So that only left the idea that... You abandoned him. You lied to him. You never cared about him.

It had to be true. It must've been true.
A father wouldn't lie to his son.

"My father... Wouldn't lie to me. He... Wouldn't do that to his own son." The prince placed a hand on his scar.

"Zuko was right, you see. But it was not his place to speak out. And there were dire consequences." Iroh muttered, lowering his head. You held your wrist. Dire... Consequences...?
"After Zuko's outburst in the meeting, the Firelord became very angry with him. He said the challenge against the general was a complete act of disrespect! And there was only one way to resolve this."

"Agni Kai. A fire duel." Lieutenant Jee whispered. Your eyes widened. "That's right. Zuko looked upon the old general he had insulted and declared that he was not afraid. But Zuko misunderstood. When he turned to face his opponent, he was surprised to see it was not the general. Zuko had spoken out against the general's plan, but by doing so in the Firelord's war room, it was the Firelord he had disrespected."

"Zuko... Would have to duel his own father." You felt your body shaking. You... You weren't there to for him. If you had been there, could you have prevented that?

"When Prince Zuko saw that it was his father who had come to duel him, he begged for mercy." He... refused to fight. "I looked away."

"I always thought Prince Zuko was in a training accident." Lieutenant Jee mumbled. "It was no accident. After the duel, the Firelord said that by refusing to fight, Zuko had shown shameful weakness. As a punishment, he was banished and sent to capture the Avatar. Only then could he return with his honor." Iroh explained. You could feel yourself zoning out.

So... That's why...

If you had been there... You could've changed things. You... You really did abandon him. Right when he needed you the most.

You failed him. You... Lied to him. You said you'd always be there for him, you told him you wanted to be there for him, but... You left.

It was... All your fault, wasn't it?

You stood up. "Y/N? Are you alright?" Lieutenant Jee questioned, placing a hand on your shoulder. "I... I'm just tired." You whispered, exiting the room and walking towards your cabin.

It was all...
                    
                     Your...
           
                                     fault...