Holding Your Breath [ Milliways ]

[princeinexile]

It was a long hallway; not as long as he remembered from years ago -- but certainly, each step seemed like it spanned miles. Miles of tapestry, miles of ornate tile, miles and miles of tense breathing and that stone in Zuko's stomach, cold and hard and weighing him down

Comments

[secondbornking]

Soon, a voice issues from behind the flames, cold and emotionless.

"You have been away for a long time. I can see the weight of your travels has changed you." The Fire Lord stands and advances. "You have redeemed yourself, my son."

Ozai crosses the fire and looks his son in the eye.

"Welcome home."

He approaches Zuko, coming to stand behind him.

"I am proud of you, Prince Zuko. I am proud because you and your sister conquered Ba Sing Se. I am proud because when your loyalty was tested by your treacherous uncle, you did the right thing and captured the traitor. And I am proudest of all of your most legendary accomplishment. You slayed the Avatar.

[princeinexile]

The stone in his stomach is somehow much heavier now, dropping suddenly with his father's words. His mask cracks, and the surprise on his face is apparent.

"What did you hear?" he asks, managing -- only just -- to keep his voice level.

[secondbornking]

Lord Ozai looks down at his kneeling son.

"Azula told me everything. She said she was amazed and impressed with your power and ferocity at the moment of truth."

[princeinexile]

Zuko's mouth is dry; that cannot be blamed on the heat of the room with it's many fires. No, it's the stone that keeps dropping and now his tongue is glued to the roof of his mouth-- thinking, thinking--

Why could she possibly have told him that? Why would she give me the glory? Why would she allow me to take this place at his feet, and gain his love? He could not dare look up at his father, keeping his head bowed and his position on his knees. She promised me that Father would love me if I helped her, but -- this isn't -- what I expected at all...

There had to be an ulterior motive; she had launched the bolt that had supposedly 'killed' the Avatar.

All the same, he found words now: "I only did what was asked of me, Father."