For Zuko

[noblerworld]

Seifer spent a lot of his time sparring. Partly as part of his training and preparations but partly because he just enjoyed it. Whether it was with Zell or Luke or Arya; just the testing of strength, the battle of abilities, the thrill of winning, it all delighted him. Of his regular partners though, perhaps the one he most enjoyed sparring with

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[irisewiththesun]

They've been going for a while now and Zuko's long since stripped off his t-shirt, tossing it over a nearby tree branch. Sweat's beaded on his skin but he ignores it, concentrating all his focus on Seifer and the bout.

He likes sparring with Seifer; the guy's good, and if nothing else, it definitely tests Zuko's endurance more often than not. Their blades flash as they each try to find an opening, pushing each other. Zuko backflips to avoid Seifer's gunblade and is surging back in as soon as his feet hit the ground, a kind of fierce grin on his face as he moves with the unnatural speed that's typical of him.

[noblerworld]

Seifer knew he'd never be able to match Zuko on speed and agility, but if fighting against him, and indeed Arya, had taught him anything, it was how to make his strength count instead.

He battered away at Zuko's two swords with obvious relish and all the strength he could muster, until he found that opening they'd both been looking for.

Zuko had allowed his left sword to be dragged slightly too far wide, and suddenly Seifer was grinning and swinging his gunblade through the gap as he locked his eyes onto Zuko's.

They both knew who'd won this particular contest, all Seifer had to do was stop his blade just before it reached Zuko's skin to prove it completely.

[irisewiththesun]

Zuko knows his mistake as soon as he's made it. Seifer will always win out when it comes to brute strength, and more often than not, if Zuko gives him the slightest opening he'll use that to his advantage. It's part of what makes sparring with the other teen interesting.

Zuko's sword is batted out of the way and Seifer's gunblade is swinging towards him, sudden enough that even Zuko can't dodge it. His eyes go wide with surprise, but he doesn't worry, trusting that Seifer will be able to stop it in time. Neither of them is looking to seriously injure here.

[noblerworld]

Seifer had sparred dozens upon dozens of times on this island, and each time he'd marked his victories with nothing more than stopping his blade just before it made contact with the skin. This time, though, was different. Maybe it was because of the respect Zuko had earned from him, maybe it was because of how close this particular spar had been, maybe his blood was just up, but this time he didn't stop the blade.

His weapon carved through the skin covering the top of Zuko's chest in a long lazy line, not deep enough to trouble his organs but enough to carve out a bleeding scar like the one Seifer had on his face. It was a permanent monument to his skills, proof that Zuko's guard had been broken.

Maybe, now he'd raised the stakes, next time Zuko broke through his guard he'd receive his own scar in return. Maybe Zuko would even give him it right now in a furious response. That would be fine. They could mark each other as equals, legendary fighters who were matched completely, scar for scar.

[irisewiththesun]

It's happening almost before Zuko can figure out what's going on. One moment he's expecting to reluctantly concede this bout, roll his eyes at the point of Seifer's blade hovering inches from his neck. The next moment there's a searing pain in his chest, and he lets out a rough yell of pain and surprise

[noblerworld]

The gunblade was sent spinning out of Seifer's hand and then Zuko was on him like a tornado, kick and after kick landing on him, sending him falling backwards, pain blossoming in him all over like a climbing vine. And pride and joy welled in Seifer as much as the pain and anger, just at the sheer fury of the attack, at the skill involved. He was right to think of this boy as an equal, as a potential adversary, as a potential commander.

And this was the beginning of something, he could feel it, whether brotherhood or hatred he neither knew or cared, but something epic. Some bond between the two of them, that ensnared them together, that meant Seifer mattered to someone's life.

[irisewiththesun]

Zuko's so furious he can't see straight. He can feel the gash pulling at his skin, stretching and burning and radiating pain through the center of him, and he knows it's going to leave a nasty scar. Blood's flying everywhere, undoubtedly, droplets scattering as he continues his attack with vehemence. He follows his next kick with a punch, then another, spinning around again to connect with his elbow before yet another spin sweeps his foot around.

He'd thought Seifer was a friend; someone he could trust, someone who had his back. But Zuko doesn't know if this is something he can forgive.

[noblerworld]

Seifer grinned as the blows came, until he landed on the ground, spitting blood and with a black eye and a busted lip already emerging and then the grin faded.

This was quickly becoming a real beating, and yet it didn't occur to Seifer to be afraid, didn't occur to him to run, didn't even occur to him that he'd lost a friend here. He just stood straight and tried his best to dodge, tried his best to counter, tried his best to remain standing until his body gave way comppletely.

[irisewiththesun]

Zuko's several more blows in before he starts getting control of himself, the cloud of blind rage lifting enough for him to realize he needs to stop before he gets Seifer to the point he can't walk, or worse.

Panting, he pushes into a backflip, then another flip sideways, putting some distance between himself and Seifer. He stands with his fists clenched at his sides and glares, and now that he's more or less immobile he's feeling the wound in his chest more than ever. It hurts.

"What were you thinking?" he spits out, even though he can't think of any possible justification he'll accept.

[noblerworld]

Seifer could explain that it was meant as a mark of respect. That it was a sign of how formidable Zuko was, that getting through his guard was a moment worth memorialising permanentally. That he wouldn't take any offense to anyone scarring him, so it didn't occur to him that the reverse wasn't true.

But he didn't feel like saying any of that.

So he just looked up at Zuko, one eye half closed involunatrily where he'd been punched, and said.

"It looks good on you."

[irisewiththesun]

"How can you say that?" Zuko yells back, the pain continuing to bleed through gradually more as his adrenaline subsides. "What are you trying to prove, Seifer? Huh? What made you think I'd want another scar when getting the first one was such a great experience?" His voice at the end is venomous, dripping with sarcasm, and Zuko is having to work too hard to hold himself back physically to bother with the volume of his voice.

[noblerworld]

Seifer's pretty sure he has no idea how Zuko got that scar. He doesn't think he ever cared enough to ask.

He still doesn't care now and he doesn't need to explain himself to Zuko. His own anger and pain were coming to the surface, as well. He'd just had the shit beaten out of him and that was starting to matter.

"Guess I thought you were tougher than you are."

[irisewiththesun]

Seifer's not the first to try and get a rise out of Zuko by questioning his capabilities. He still remembers the Agni Kai with Zhao like it was yesterday. He's already hot, though, and an instant later his broadswords are back in his hands, one of them pointed straight at Seifer. "You have no idea," he growls, starting to back away, and as he connects his swords and sheathes them he has to work not to wince.

"No idea," he repeats, then turns and starts to stalk away, in the direction of the compound.

[noblerworld]

Seifer watched him go, and then, after enough time had passed, he picked up his own weapon and headed off towards the compound himself.