Zuko just shakes his head, swallowing a secret smirk when he notices that unconscious itching.
"Maybe... He'd more readily accept the ointment, I think. He's the type of person who'd feel guilty to ask servants for help even though it's their job, y'know what I mean?" he leans back in his seat as he speaks, getting comfortable. "Not that he's ever had servants, that I know of, I mean — well, except when he was little, maybe, I dunno. He told me his parents were rich. But he ran away from home when he was eight. He's been on his own since then. I don't think he's known much luxury or love in his life, Uncle. Now... I have a feeling he'd feel uncomfortable with something he'd have to rely on others for. He doesn't wanna impose on people, even his friends."
Ah, so the truth outs. This makes a lot more sense why Zuko and Gokudera are so close, and how the poor young man ended up on a pedestal in Zuko's life. Of course this is the kind of tortured, triumphant figure Zuko would find to admire. He doesn't feel hung up airing Gokudera's life story to Iroh, because Gokudera'd already shared so much of his life in the mafia with Iroh when they met... and it's Uncle. Who's he gonna tell? It's better that he have the background info privately, Zuko thinks. It's a better insight into Zuko's life in Iroh's absence, too, learning the kind of characters he'd been idolizing.
no subject
"Maybe... He'd more readily accept the ointment, I think. He's the type of person who'd feel guilty to ask servants for help even though it's their job, y'know what I mean?" he leans back in his seat as he speaks, getting comfortable. "Not that he's ever had servants, that I know of, I mean — well, except when he was little, maybe, I dunno. He told me his parents were rich. But he ran away from home when he was eight. He's been on his own since then. I don't think he's known much luxury or love in his life, Uncle. Now... I have a feeling he'd feel uncomfortable with something he'd have to rely on others for. He doesn't wanna impose on people, even his friends."
Ah, so the truth outs. This makes a lot more sense why Zuko and Gokudera are so close, and how the poor young man ended up on a pedestal in Zuko's life. Of course this is the kind of tortured, triumphant figure Zuko would find to admire. He doesn't feel hung up airing Gokudera's life story to Iroh, because Gokudera'd already shared so much of his life in the mafia with Iroh when they met... and it's Uncle. Who's he gonna tell? It's better that he have the background info privately, Zuko thinks. It's a better insight into Zuko's life in Iroh's absence, too, learning the kind of characters he'd been idolizing.