For Zuko

[noblerworld]

Seifer had never visited Azula's hut before, either before or after the girl's disappearance. He had never needed to and there had never been anyone there who'd want to see him. There still wasn't, actually. But he had something he had to do

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[irisewiththesun]

"Coming!" Zuko calls, pulling on a t-shirt. He opens the door fully expecting to see someone like Claire or Cassie, or maybe Edmund, but the sight of Seifer on the porch has him hardening instantly, his jaw clenching.

"What do you want," he says flatly, not angry yet, but wary.

[noblerworld]

"Hello Zuko," he said slowly. "I have a gift for you, if you want it."

And with that he drew his gun-blade and held it out to him handle first.

There seemed no point in beating around the bush.

[irisewiththesun]

Zuko isn't really sure what he's expecting Seifer to say, but that definitely is not it. For a moment he just stares at the offered gun-blade, then looks back up at Seifer, his eyes narrowed.

"Why?" he asks, a simple enough question, and yet there's so much behind it. Why is he giving it up? Why is he choosing to give it to Zuko? Why now?

[noblerworld]

"Figured you needed it more than I do," he replied with what was meant to be a casual shrug.

"Kinda thought it'd be best if I don't have a weapon."

[irisewiththesun]

"I don't need another sword," is his automatic response, but his voice remains relatively calm, rather than becoming defensive. And Seifer's next comment, Zuko doesn't know what to make of.

He doesn't move still, not for another few moments, then reaches out and takes the offered gunblade by the handle. "When did you decide that?" he asks, since from his end, this seems pretty abrupt.

[noblerworld]

"Yesterday," he said slowly.

"I don't think soldiering is for me. They told me I didn't have the temperament for it back at Garden. Maybe they were right. I don't seem to make the right choices once I get a weapon in my hand."

[irisewiththesun]

That seems pretty vague an answer, and it's clear to Zuko there's something Seifer's not saying. Something happened to make him come to this decision, but whatever it is, he's not sharing, and Zuko's not going to push for more details. "What are you going to do now?" he asks instead, wondering what Seifer has in mind to fill his time without training with his gunblade.

[noblerworld]

Truth was, Seifer hadn't really thought about it.

"Work in the kitchen maybe," he shrugged as he spoke, "or fish for them at least. Shouldn't be hard to learn."

"It's a good weapon," he added, "hyperion model. Take care of it."