[commentlog of father-son times~] ... somehow I forgot to reply to this. D: WTF MEfoxtamerJanuary 19 2010, 23:41:08 UTC
[Minato knows immediately what was up when Zuko looked away. He sighs softly, pulling Zuko a bit closer. So what if he was getting in his personal space.]
I regretted that I couldn't protect him. Kakashi did, too. I still regret it to this day. But regrets can't bring back those that we've lost--we can only try to get stronger, to try to make sure it never happens again. And even then, sometimes it doesn't always work, and you still lose people.
... But it still worked better than having never tried at all.
[He speaks from experience from the heart of someone who's lost quite a few friends during his lifetime.]
[commentlog of father-son times~] Aww <333 /feeds you cookies~forged_anewJanuary 20 2010, 23:56:39 UTC
[Zuko falls really still for a moment, looking up obliquely at Minato and not saying anything. That caught his attention, but what is he supposed to say to that? And he's... not even quite sure what Minato means. It doesn't seem to apply, since he's been talking about failing his friends and Minato's always been there for him since they got close.]
Re: [commentlog of father-son times~]foxtamerJanuary 21 2010, 03:31:14 UTC
[Minato shakes his head, even if Zuko isn't looking at him.]
... What was done to Aang was done to him by something powerful. [To "erase" a body so effectively--he saw the way the blood had splattered, the way the--] Do you really think either of us would have stood a chance against it?
[commentlog of father-son times~]forged_anewJanuary 21 2010, 03:36:31 UTC
[Silence. He... hadn't really thought about that. Hadn't really thought at all beyond the fact that Aang was dead and it could have been prevented. Finally, a whisper--]
[commentlog of father-son times~]foxtamerJanuary 21 2010, 04:00:49 UTC
[Minato can hear the silence of thought. And Minato gives Zuko another sad smile.]
... Exactly. So, don't beat yourself up over it. This place isn't normal. Our enemies here aren't normal. You can't always predict what's going to happen... or to whom.
[commentlog of father-son times~]forged_anewJanuary 21 2010, 04:06:40 UTC
[a long sigh. Minato's right. He wishes things were different, but wishing does him no good, and Minato is right. But if he finds whoever killed Aang-- but he's not going to say that because Minato would stop him.
So he just sighs, and slowly leans in again, tired of all this pain and of feeling useless, tired of being unable to protect the people he cares about, just... tired.]
[commentlog of father-son times~]foxtamerJanuary 21 2010, 04:16:41 UTC
[Minato smiles a bit in relief when Zuko finally gives in, even if only for a moment. And Minato wouldn't necessarily stop Zuko from going after the person, as long as he could do that safely. Killing a person meant they got their chip back in. Although he would much rather do the killing than Zuko--he was made for it.
He pulls Zuko a bit closer, shifting to settle into a more comfortable position. Minato needs this as much as Zuko, right now. They're both tired.]
[commentlog of father-son times~]forged_anewJanuary 21 2010, 05:14:55 UTC
[Zuko leans his head against the ninja's shoulder. It's getting easier to let his guard down, and he likes being able to relax for once, feel safe. Perhaps it's childish, but in truth--though he'd never agree himself--Zuko's barely more than a boy in the first place
( ... )
Re: [commentlog of father-son times~]foxtamerJanuary 21 2010, 23:56:47 UTC
[Minato glances down at the young man--boy--in his arms, a small smile on his lips. His gaze slides down to Zuko's hand before his arm slides further around Zuko's back and shoulders, his hand resting on Zuko's opposite arm. He looks up to Zuko's slightly unruly hair.
It's good to see Zuko finally give in, finally relax a little, and it makes Minato relax slightly as well. But he can't relax completely--not yet. The danger is still there, still unknown.
Minato couldn't protect Aang... but maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to protect Zuko.]
Meet me in front of Horton?
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I regretted that I couldn't protect him. Kakashi did, too. I still regret it to this day. But regrets can't bring back those that we've lost--we can only try to get stronger, to try to make sure it never happens again. And even then, sometimes it doesn't always work, and you still lose people.
... But it still worked better than having never tried at all.
[He speaks from experience from the heart of someone who's lost quite a few friends during his lifetime.]
But here... here, we have a second chance.
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Zuko shifts uncomfortably. The arm was okay, but he's not quite up to hugs just yet.]
I know. And that's what I told myself with Sokka too but...
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It's what I told myself with Obito, too. [Minato swallows, his voice growing quieter.] ... And you.
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You died here, Zuko. And I couldn't save you. But I didn't let that stop me from helping you in other ways.
[Like helping Zuko start to come to terms with his own death due to illness, if he had forgotten. Not that he could ever forget.]
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[lookin' away again]
But that was... different. I was sick. It's not like--
[...]
I know what you mean. But I want to be there for my friends and when I can't and this happens it's... unbearable, I hate it, failing them frustrating.
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... What was done to Aang was done to him by something powerful. [To "erase" a body so effectively--he saw the way the blood had splattered, the way the--] Do you really think either of us would have stood a chance against it?
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I don't know...
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... Exactly. So, don't beat yourself up over it. This place isn't normal. Our enemies here aren't normal. You can't always predict what's going to happen... or to whom.
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So he just sighs, and slowly leans in again, tired of all this pain and of feeling useless, tired of being unable to protect the people he cares about, just... tired.]
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He pulls Zuko a bit closer, shifting to settle into a more comfortable position. Minato needs this as much as Zuko, right now. They're both tired.]
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It's good to see Zuko finally give in, finally relax a little, and it makes Minato relax slightly as well. But he can't relax completely--not yet. The danger is still there, still unknown.
Minato couldn't protect Aang... but maybe, just maybe, he'll be able to protect Zuko.]
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