Zuko nods, taking a moment to collect his thoughts before reaching for one of the teacups Iroh had sat down on the table. He sips it quietly with lowered lashes at first, not sure where to start. It was all so much. But he figures the best place to start… is the beginning. Even though he knows Iroh already likely knows much of the situation, or had guessed as much, it’s all news to Zuko, and worth reconstructing out loud now that he’s had time to process. He sighs before beginning, gaze fixed on the floor between his feet as he speaks.
“…The day we received the letter announcing Cousin Lu-Ten’s death, Father arranged an audience for all of us together with Grandfather Azulon. After Grandfather dismissed us to speak to Father privately, Azula and I hid behind the curtain in the throne room to eavesdrop…” He pauses, worrying his lip. He was only eleven; Azula was only nine. But he hates to bring up Lu-Ten or Ozai’s betrayal this way. Yet at the same time… it’s crucial context.
“Father begged Grandfather to revoke your birthright because you no longer had a bloodline as the firstborn without your family. But Grandfather was furious, Uncle, it was scary… I ran away, so I didn’t hear this myself, but, um— Azula stayed. And told me what she heard later. Grandfather punished Father for daring to suggest such betrayal when you were in such pain — by the same price you paid. The life of his firstborn son. I thought Azula was just messing with me back then and lying like she always did, but now I know it was true… And, um—“
He glances up at Iroh but then quickly away again, feeling highly uncomfortable relaying the poor old man’s role in the context of all this as it all becomes more concrete as he hears himself recap everything aloud. It’s truly awful. His face is gradually awash with more and more emotion, especially after his short pause to really realize the story he’s telling here, in regards to Iroh himself. A painstricken look. Uncomfortable. But empathetic still.
“…Mother overheard us talking about it. And, uh— took Azula away to find out more, I guess. Um— But …Azula wasn’t lying about Grandfather telling Father to kill me. And, um—“
He stops short, eyes darting the other way again. He can’t continue; he’s hitching here. But he knows he needs to reveal this to Iroh. But how can he? He’s talking about Iroh’s father… Azulon may not have been as loving as Ursa, but he was certainly not as hateful as Ozai. What’s more, will this change Iroh’s feelings toward Ursa, whom the man had always known to be doting of his nephew, a shared interest in the prince’s well-being and protection from Ozai — will this change Iroh’s feelings toward Zuko, he worries? He looks as frazzled as he feels.
no subject
“…The day we received the letter announcing Cousin Lu-Ten’s death, Father arranged an audience for all of us together with Grandfather Azulon. After Grandfather dismissed us to speak to Father privately, Azula and I hid behind the curtain in the throne room to eavesdrop…” He pauses, worrying his lip. He was only eleven; Azula was only nine. But he hates to bring up Lu-Ten or Ozai’s betrayal this way. Yet at the same time… it’s crucial context.
“Father begged Grandfather to revoke your birthright because you no longer had a bloodline as the firstborn without your family. But Grandfather was furious, Uncle, it was scary… I ran away, so I didn’t hear this myself, but, um— Azula stayed. And told me what she heard later. Grandfather punished Father for daring to suggest such betrayal when you were in such pain — by the same price you paid. The life of his firstborn son. I thought Azula was just messing with me back then and lying like she always did, but now I know it was true… And, um—“
He glances up at Iroh but then quickly away again, feeling highly uncomfortable relaying the poor old man’s role in the context of all this as it all becomes more concrete as he hears himself recap everything aloud. It’s truly awful. His face is gradually awash with more and more emotion, especially after his short pause to really realize the story he’s telling here, in regards to Iroh himself. A painstricken look. Uncomfortable. But empathetic still.
“…Mother overheard us talking about it. And, uh— took Azula away to find out more, I guess. Um— But …Azula wasn’t lying about Grandfather telling Father to kill me. And, um—“
He stops short, eyes darting the other way again. He can’t continue; he’s hitching here. But he knows he needs to reveal this to Iroh. But how can he? He’s talking about Iroh’s father… Azulon may not have been as loving as Ursa, but he was certainly not as hateful as Ozai. What’s more, will this change Iroh’s feelings toward Ursa, whom the man had always known to be doting of his nephew, a shared interest in the prince’s well-being and protection from Ozai — will this change Iroh’s feelings toward Zuko, he worries? He looks as frazzled as he feels.