[It's that simple. It's Zuko's family, and he needs to be dealing with this with a better hand than he's usually given. Just for once in his life. ]
If it helps, she hacked off the spirit by being rude to it and continually destroying the balance of nature you know, like she does. Besides, it doesn't do the face thing very often. We don't have to worry about her looking like someone new.
[He considers then exhales. ]
But that's not the end. Aang and Katara brought the spirit to your mother. She asked for everything back, her old face, her old memories. She wanted to make up to you all that lost time. To make up for what she did.
[His tone is even. After knowing what happened to his own mother, that she willingly died to save Katara...the idea of a mother giving up everything, of turning her back on her children still doesn't sit well in his chest. But she wants a second chance, and Zuko is giving her one, so. ]
We had to head off then, Team Avatar business and all. But you stuck behind. Last I heard, you were taking your mom, her husband and your little sister back to the Fire Nation Capitol.
[ of course he did. of course he offered to bring them with him. to take care of them. because ursa, of all people, deserves that second chance.
but sokka is right -- that's still... years. years missing. years of zuko being exiled, of azula being alone with ozai -- azula losing her mind, zuko and azula nearly killing each other for the throne, ozai losing his firebending...
but it could be a new start. the new reign, a new nation. a new family. and the news of having another sister, a little sister, that warms his heart in a small way, but -- ]
... one little sister, anyway.
[ quietly, and zuko pushes himself up to stand, finally. he's not sure he can hear much more. ]
[Congrats Zuko you're related to someone other than Iroh who isn't toxic to you.
When he stands, Sokka steps forward, pulling him into a hug. Hugs aren't something he gives often, but this time, it's important. Zuko might be prickly about it, but he honestly doesn't care. After all that, the guy needs one if he thinks he does or not. ]
I'm sorry. I wish it could have been better for you.
[In that...and in every other aspect of his friend's life. He deserves far more happiness than he ever got. ]
[ zuko opens his mouth to ask a little more about her -- but then sokka hugs him, and says that, and zuko is immediately tense. not because of the lack of wanting a hug, but the same standard alarm bells in his head. letting people get too close to him, being touched without warning, the anxiety and warning --
but after a few seconds of internal warring inside his head, he relaxes slightly with a sigh, and while he doesn't really return the hug very tightly, he does just a little. ]
I thought my mother was dead, and she's not. It could be worse.
[ it's murmured. he's not really sure how he feels, yet. and he falls quiet again before drawing in a breath -- it goes without saying, but -- ]
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[It's that simple. It's Zuko's family, and he needs to be dealing with this with a better hand than he's usually given. Just for once in his life. ]
If it helps, she hacked off the spirit by being rude to it and continually destroying the balance of nature you know, like she does. Besides, it doesn't do the face thing very often. We don't have to worry about her looking like someone new.
[He considers then exhales. ]
But that's not the end. Aang and Katara brought the spirit to your mother. She asked for everything back, her old face, her old memories. She wanted to make up to you all that lost time. To make up for what she did.
[His tone is even. After knowing what happened to his own mother, that she willingly died to save Katara...the idea of a mother giving up everything, of turning her back on her children still doesn't sit well in his chest. But she wants a second chance, and Zuko is giving her one, so. ]
We had to head off then, Team Avatar business and all. But you stuck behind. Last I heard, you were taking your mom, her husband and your little sister back to the Fire Nation Capitol.
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but sokka is right -- that's still... years. years missing. years of zuko being exiled, of azula being alone with ozai -- azula losing her mind, zuko and azula nearly killing each other for the throne, ozai losing his firebending...
but it could be a new start. the new reign, a new nation. a new family. and the news of having another sister, a little sister, that warms his heart in a small way, but -- ]
... one little sister, anyway.
[ quietly, and zuko pushes himself up to stand, finally. he's not sure he can hear much more. ]
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[Congrats Zuko you're related to someone other than Iroh who isn't toxic to you.
When he stands, Sokka steps forward, pulling him into a hug. Hugs aren't something he gives often, but this time, it's important. Zuko might be prickly about it, but he honestly doesn't care. After all that, the guy needs one if he thinks he does or not. ]
I'm sorry. I wish it could have been better for you.
[In that...and in every other aspect of his friend's life. He deserves far more happiness than he ever got. ]
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but after a few seconds of internal warring inside his head, he relaxes slightly with a sigh, and while he doesn't really return the hug very tightly, he does just a little. ]
I thought my mother was dead, and she's not. It could be worse.
[ it's murmured. he's not really sure how he feels, yet. and he falls quiet again before drawing in a breath -- it goes without saying, but -- ]
Azula can't know.
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It could. And at least you can start something new with her. It won't be easy, but I'm sure you guys will work something out.
[Wow, no, absolutely not no. ]
Given how she reacted in general to what whole thing? Yeah, no. Never, ever.
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[ a quiet sigh to both comments. ]
-- I'd appreciate it, too, if no one else knew.
[ zuko doesn't really want his business spread all over the blue fish, and he definitely doesn't want to be pitied. ]
I can tell Katara in my own time.
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[He gives a nod, oy, Katara, rather Zuko than him on that one, honestly. ]
I'll try and make sure there's no loose water sloshing about when you do.
[In case she, you know, flips out and freezes half the ship. ]
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it's a real danger, okay. ]
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Good luck, buddy!