Obviously I took liberties here, as I haven't seen past The Boiling Rock. I'm just making this post-finale stuff up. But if you haven't seen The Firebending Masters yet, I suggest you not read on.
Zuko thought he'd gotten over needing approval when he left home to join the Avatar. He thought he'd found his own destiny, and that he was the only one he needed to impress with it. But with the war over and being back in the Fire Nation, Zuko found himself needing validation from the Fire Lord once more.
He still trembled as he approached those large doors, fearing who was inside. He tried to shake the feeling, but after fifteen years of fearing the Fire Lord, he just wasn't able to. The guards, recognizing him, instantly opened the entrance to him, and he began his long walk between large pillars to approach the Fire Lord's throne.
There was a tightness in his abdomen that he tried to quell, and he swallowed thickly as he came to the end of the path and bowed before his ruler. "Fire Lord, I would like permission to speak with you. It's Prince Zuko."
His nose was still to the ground when he heard the booming, mirthful chuckle. "Zuko," he said, voice smiling, "Please. Get up and join me. And don't call me that."
The prince did as he was told, and the fire around the throne died down to allow him to jump up and stand next to it. "Sorry, Uncle. I just wanted to show you proper respect." His head was hung, but he had a look of determination on his hidden face. Iroh stood from his seat and touched his nephew's shoulder gently.
"I appreciate that, but it makes me feel as if we are distant when you act so formally. But it's alright, no need to apologize. Tell me, what did you wish to speak to me about?"
Zuko looked up and his uncle was still smiling warmly at him. He began to speak, wanting nothing but to get the weight off his chest, but faltered. "I... We..." The hand on his shoulder squeezed tightly. "Don't be so nervous, Zuko. It's just me."
He smiled weakly back at Iroh, and continued. "We just haven't talked a lot. Not since I... I did some horrible things, Uncle. I betrayed you. And I can't do anything to take it back. But I've changed! I've really changed this time. I finally listened to you, and things worked out. I wrote my own destiny. I gave myself honor by helping Avatar Aang learn firebending, and helping to take down my father. I thought I was done needing approval from others. But I've realized... I need it. I need it from you. I can't tell if that makes me weak or not. But you were the real father to me. I hope I've made you proud."
His head dropped again, fearing to make eye contact as if it would make this all the more real if his uncle was disappointed in him. He grew nervous as he got no reply. Holding back nervous tears, he asked, "Uncle, I think I have to know... Do I make you proud?"
Before he knew it, large arms were surrounding him, holding him tightly. "Yes, Zuko. I have watched your growth, and I have seen what a large change you've made. After all my brother put you through, you emerged a good man. If I could only be proud of one person in my whole life, it would be you."
Zuko sighed and smiled in relief, and as the tension left him he let the tears fall. Iroh released him, and looked him in the eye. "However, I really wish you wouldn't have sided with your sister back then. I always warned you she was crazy." The stern eyes were contrasted with a bright smile, and Zuko could do nothing but laugh.
Zuko thought he'd gotten over needing approval when he left home to join the Avatar. He thought he'd found his own destiny, and that he was the only one he needed to impress with it. But with the war over and being back in the Fire Nation, Zuko found himself needing validation from the Fire Lord once more.
He still trembled as he approached those large doors, fearing who was inside. He tried to shake the feeling, but after fifteen years of fearing the Fire Lord, he just wasn't able to. The guards, recognizing him, instantly opened the entrance to him, and he began his long walk between large pillars to approach the Fire Lord's throne.
There was a tightness in his abdomen that he tried to quell, and he swallowed thickly as he came to the end of the path and bowed before his ruler. "Fire Lord, I would like permission to speak with you. It's Prince Zuko."
His nose was still to the ground when he heard the booming, mirthful chuckle. "Zuko," he said, voice smiling, "Please. Get up and join me. And don't call me that."
The prince did as he was told, and the fire around the throne died down to allow him to jump up and stand next to it. "Sorry, Uncle. I just wanted to show you proper respect." His head was hung, but he had a look of determination on his hidden face. Iroh stood from his seat and touched his nephew's shoulder gently.
"I appreciate that, but it makes me feel as if we are distant when you act so formally. But it's alright, no need to apologize. Tell me, what did you wish to speak to me about?"
Zuko looked up and his uncle was still smiling warmly at him. He began to speak, wanting nothing but to get the weight off his chest, but faltered. "I... We..." The hand on his shoulder squeezed tightly. "Don't be so nervous, Zuko. It's just me."
He smiled weakly back at Iroh, and continued. "We just haven't talked a lot. Not since I... I did some horrible things, Uncle. I betrayed you. And I can't do anything to take it back. But I've changed! I've really changed this time. I finally listened to you, and things worked out. I wrote my own destiny. I gave myself honor by helping Avatar Aang learn firebending, and helping to take down my father. I thought I was done needing approval from others. But I've realized... I need it. I need it from you. I can't tell if that makes me weak or not. But you were the real father to me. I hope I've made you proud."
His head dropped again, fearing to make eye contact as if it would make this all the more real if his uncle was disappointed in him. He grew nervous as he got no reply. Holding back nervous tears, he asked, "Uncle, I think I have to know... Do I make you proud?"
Before he knew it, large arms were surrounding him, holding him tightly. "Yes, Zuko. I have watched your growth, and I have seen what a large change you've made. After all my brother put you through, you emerged a good man. If I could only be proud of one person in my whole life, it would be you."
Zuko sighed and smiled in relief, and as the tension left him he let the tears fall. Iroh released him, and looked him in the eye. "However, I really wish you wouldn't have sided with your sister back then. I always warned you she was crazy." The stern eyes were contrasted with a bright smile, and Zuko could do nothing but laugh.
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