Memories from Western Airtemple

Memories from Western Air Temple

Chapter 36

Father Mine

roh stood right in front of the tent flap, knowing that Zuko was on the other side. But, as much as he wanted to see the precious boy again, he did not move the cloth aside. This was Zuko’s obstacle, a test to see if the youth was ready to face his actions and stop running.

Not to mention Iroh himself was scared, as Zuko possibly was as well. Iroh feared that the moving of the flap would reveal the same broken and lost child from before or, worse yet, one with a heart shattered beyond repair.

There was a shift and darkness slithered into the tent from the small opening. A human being followed the shadows, accompanied by a wavering voice that spoke: “Uncle?”

The voice sounded so weak that it almost broke Iroh’s heart to hear it. Yet, at the same time, it was also powerful with a desperate yearning that resonated within Iroh’s soul.

Standing silent, Iroh observed his nephew in the dim light of the lantern stationed in the centre of the tent. The boy had clearly changed. The anger and pain that had always been present before were now gone, making this new Zuko seem deflated in comparison. The boy looked so small but at the same time he gave off the impression of being larger than life. It was apparent that Zuko had discovered his destiny at last.

“I’m sorry”, a voice whispered and Iroh saw Zuko’s eyes, previously hidden from view beneath his hair. The golden gaze shimmered with tears as the boy released a sniffle before uttering again: “I’m sorry.”

“You have no need to be”, Iroh spoke then and got a disbelieving look in return, one distorted from the pure agony Zuko was surrounded by. “The time for guilt is past, I believe.” The man smiled even as Zuko’s tears begun to fall. “Now, it’s time to forgive.”

Slowly, hesitant even now, Zuko’s arms rose to Iroh’s shoulders. Seeing that this was an act for as much Zuko himself as for Iroh, the man allowed his nephew to move at his own pace. Only after Zuko was close, the teen’s head resting against Iroh’s shoulder, Iroh lifted his own hands to close Zuko into an embrace.

Zuko’s body shook against Iroh’s, the elder feeling a wave of nostalgia come over him as he became aware of him having the one thing he had left to want in his arms. Zuko was coming undone, and that more than anything told Iroh that the boy was finally healing after years of constant pain.

“I love you”, Zuko spoke out and clung to Iroh’s robe tightly. There was something unspoken there, something Zuko was no ready to say yet, but this was enough for Iroh’s heart to expand from his overbearing affection for this child. Deciding that it would come out when the time was right, Iroh merely held the boy for a few moments longer and replied: “I love you too.”

To be continued...