[ 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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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!