Title: Within Reason
Author:
spyridonaRating: PG-13 (implication of murder, rough sex)
Word Length: 800+
Fandom: Avatar: the Last Air Bender
Pairing: Jeeko
Summary: Zuko simply wants to help. (AU, selkie!verse)
Notes: A continuation
this. As someone requested and hoped for. Not based on prompts for the day.
During Music Night, Zuko takes the old seal pelt from the ancient chest. The texture of the warm skin feels ripply, as if alive, and the fur remarkably soft despite the gray hairs that dot and streak patterns over the dark hair.
He doesn’t know the details about selkies; but he knows when Jee is aware when the pelt is touched. So Zuko handles it so carefully, resisting the urge to luxuriate in the softness, and hopes that Jee won’t say anything to Uncle.
Zuko wants to give the pelt back to Jee, tell him to jump the railing, to go back to the sea, eat fish, dance in the waves; whatever Selkies do when not bound to a human. That’s the right thing to do, the right thing to do. Perhaps Uncle would understand, perhaps Uncle could forgive him… however, Zuko is assures himself that he’s strong enough without Iroh’s support (though Uncle might be more terrible than Zuko wants to admit).
The prince returns to his cabin and cradles the skin; still hoping Jee will be silent, that Jee will come to him alone. He waits, and waits. It seems for hours (it probably is) before there is a faint knock at the door. The prince swallows and sits up on the mat that serves as his bed. “What?” He tries to make his voice sharp as always, annoyed, frustrated. Anxiety prickles down his spine.
And for a moment, no one answers as anxiety flares into his stomach.
“Lieutenant Jee,” Jee scrapes the words out and makes no attempt for civility befitting of a prince. “Permission to enter, your Highness.”
“Come in-“ And for a half second of terror, Zuko wonders if Jee is speaking for Uncle. A half bubbled lie of panic becomes stuck in his throat as the door opens wide. The bubble sinks back to his stomach as the door shuts behind Jee quickly, and they are alone.
Smelted eyes are furious as they lock onto Zuko’s face and in a few strides Jee stands over the boy. The prince glares up, jaw set, and thrusts the bundle of fur at Jee.
Jee’s stormy expression softens as he studies the offered pelt. “Insolent pup, aren’t you?” The words are not unkind as the gaze becomes longing at the belt. Suddenly, Zuko wishes Jee would look at him like that.
“No, Prince Zuko.” His gaze becomes hard when he looks at the prince again. “You can’t give it back to me, I can take what’s been taken, but I can’t take what’s been given.”
“I can’t even order you to take it?” That is the one thing Zuko knows about selkies. If you have their pelt, you can order them, regardless who owns the pelt.
The prince sees resentment flash across Jee’s features before the soldier sighs, “No, Highness, you cannot order me to take the pelt.”
The silent is deafening and the Prince stares at Jee. Zuko finds himself slumping onto his mat, hope completely drained and fear starting to gnaw at his troubled mind once more. "Does Uncle... how often does Uncle take out the skin?"
“He keeps it in the chest for my well being, Prince Zuko,” Jee’s anger fades to mere annoyance. “He won't know it's missing. Next Music Night you can return the pelt to the chest. I would… appreciate it you not to give information of what I am to others on this ship and off.”
“I’ve known for weeks, Lieutenant. No one talks to me besides Uncle, and if they did, it’s not their business.” The prince peers up at the selkie. “If I can’t free you, or order to free yourself… what could I order you to do? What would you want?”
Jee gives a bitter laugh, “It would be treasonous and not within reason. You seem fond of the General.”
“Then something within reason?”
“It’s…” The older man looks down at Zuko with a strange expression; dark and hard. Hungry, furious, Jee has to answer. “Within reason, if you order me to do it. But you should consider carefully, Prince Zuko.”
Zuko’s mouth is dry, implication runs warm through his veins. Anger and resentment. He can absolutely understand anger and resentment and need to lash out.
Then the Lieutenant takes a deep breath. “Permission to leave, Your Highness.”
“Permission denied.” Zuko settles himself on the bed, on top of the pelt. "Stay, and act within reason."
A thrill goes up his spine as Jee gives him a confused, hungry look.
The emotions are bundled and confused. Empathy? Perhaps empathy, because they were both were exiled from home. Both waited upon another to grant what was lost, return to normal. They both longed to escape from the solitary existence.
Naive thoughts for a young man so painfully different from his uncle and father.
Zuko simply pulls off his tunic; he is not the spoiled prince, he’s not. If he can’t grant freedom, he can grant release.
He doesn't know how a man so much older than him can move so fast.
Fire-warm mouth nearly burns his jaw leaving searing trails. And fingers, fingers dig against Zuko’s hipbone.
How does a man move so fast, how does he strip so easily of his armor? Jee does not burn his clothes. He doesn’t have the luxury of being in his cabin, not like Zuko. Zuko’s clothing burns and tears away with only the pelt under him.
The prince’s fingers curl into the old soldier’s short silver hair, soft as the fur. Zuko’s eyes close at the wanted assault.