Within Shadows (Zuko x Reader)

Chapter 2

"You know she's only looking out for you dear nephew." He spoke but Zuko didn't pay attention to him. However, Iroh knew he was listening to him. "She deeply cares about you, Zuko. If she didn't, she wouldn't have gone to you right away after that fight and brought you to the infirmary. I also don't think she would have self exiled herself if she didn't care about you." He added and Zuko remained silent and tense. But then Iroh sighed and got up from his seat. "I'll leave you be to think." And with that he left and found you making your way back. Iroh placed a hand on your shoulder to stop you from going further.

"Needs some time to himself?" You questioned the older man.

"I'm afraid so."

"I'll give him his plate then come back out to eat on the deck with you." Iroh gave a nod at your words and the two of you continued off in your own directions. You knocked lightly on the door and entered the room. Making way over to Zuko and handed him his plate. Neither one of you exchanged a word to each other but you placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and gave a small squeeze before leaving him he. He watched your form leave once your back faced him and you disappeared behind the door. You found Iroh sitting with a few guards on the deck and you sent a smile and sat with them. The guards dismissed themselves to allow you and Iroh to talk alone. "Iroh... May I ask you a question?"

"Of course." He spoke and took a sip of his jasmine tea. His favorite type to drink.

"What made you come with Zuko? Surely it isn't just that face that he's your nephew." You asked as your fork played around with your food. You weren't all that hungry if you were honest.

"Although Ozai is my brother, I don't agree with anything he does. The way he got the throne wasn't exactly fair and he plays dirty..." He paused. "He doesn't understand what it's like to lose your first born son... Zuko reminds me of my son and I'll be damned if anything were to happen to that boy." You hummed softly at his words.

"I'm sorry for your loss Iroh..." You muttered softly. Placing your fork down, completely losing your apatite.

"And I'm sorry for yours. Both of them." He spoke. Making you look up in slight confusion as to what he was talking about. "Your father was part of the military, yes?"

"Ah, yeah... He was. He wasn't high ranking in the military though."

"Would you believe me if I said I knew him?" Your eyes beamed at his words.

"You... You did?" Iroh nodded slowly with a smile. "I uh... I didn't get a chance to really meet him um... Could- could you tell me about him?" You stuttered and mentally cursed yourself from doing so. However, you couldn't contain both the excitement and curiosity within you. Iroh let out a light hearted chuckle.

"He was a kind hearted man who cared deeply for you and your mother. Said the main reason why he joined the war was to protect his favourite girls." He spoke. You gave a weak smile and turned your gaze down to your food. You swallowed harshly.

"I wish I could have really gotten to know him. I have no memory of him..." You muttered as you poked your food once again.

"He left when you were young?"

"Mmm yeah, he did. I'm not mad at him for it. I understand why he did but... Makes me wonder if life at home would have been easier if he were around." You stood up after you spoke. "I'm going to check up on Zuko and change his bandage. Thank you for telling me about him..." You smiled weakly and took his empty plate before leaving and heading towards Zuko's room. You knocked before entering and took the empty plate that sat on the table. "I'm going to put these away and come back to change that bandage." You informed before turning and leaving to the kitchen. You threw your untouched food away and put the dishes in the sink and made way back to Zuko. He was already sat, waiting for you. His one good eye watching your movements. Your back was faced towards him as you gathered the cream and bandages for his eye.

"...You were right..." He muttered suddenly. Causing you to turn to look at him with a raised brow.

"Right about what?" You asked as you sat beside him on the bed, carefully moving the old bandage from his eye. He winced slightly and you muttered a small apology.

"About how stupid it was to accept that Agni Kai. About how I should have kept my mouth shut." You frowned at his words as you handed him the cream. Knowing he wasn't going to allow you to touch it. "I wouldn't be here had I just listened to uncle and didn't speak." His voice held a bit of a growl this time.

"Yes it was reckless and yes it was super stupid. But... You had best intentions for your home nation. You wanted the best for your home and made sure we ended the war. That part is admirable." You spoke and started putting the bandages on him carefully. "The thing that was reckless was you not only interrupting, but not apologizing for doing so and also blindly accepting an Agni Kai."

"What about you?" He spoke sharply. Causing your brows to furrow together as you looked him dead in the eye.

"Excuse me?" You spoke back.

"You recklessly entered the palace to try and steal something. You recklessly tried leaving the palace to visit your mother when you could have very well been caught by someone other than me. And now here you are, recklessly following me and recklessly self exiling yourself. And blindly following me to find the Avatar." His voice rose a but more towards the end of his small monologue. You send a sharp glare at him and you moved away from him.

"Really now?" You snapped at him.

"You heard me..." He growled.

"You know what Zuko. Try being in my shoes and stop with your self loathing. I. Lost. EVERYTHING." You jabbed your finger at his chest at every word towards the end of that sentence. "I first lost my father in the war. I soon slowly started to lose my mother from and illness that made her bedridden for three years. I've spent that time stealing and while doing so, nearly dying the few times I got caught. I reached a point where my last resort to try and help my dying mother was to steal as much gold or anything valuable in your home to sell so I could get some money. You would do the same thing for your mother if you were too young to have a job but lucky for you, you're privileged enough to live in a wealthy home with plenty of money to afford anything. Your privileged enough to have a sturdy roof over your head and your lucky enough to have a mother that's still alive." You hissed. Your eyes welling with tears and you oh so desperately fought the tears back from flowing. "So you want to know why I followed you? Why I decided to come along with you?" You paused and took a shaky intake of air. "Its because I know no where else to go. And I went with you because I thought I could trust you." You cursed yourself as you could feel the small streams of tears flowing down your cheeks. He parted his lips to speak but you stopped him. "Dont. Start." You snapped. You turned sharply on your heel and made way to your room. Slamming both Zuko's door and yours behind you.