forged_anew | 17 - [voice] Return to the land of the living

[Zuko blinks, settling back against the couch pillows again, his expression unreadable.

A sign of affection. Toward his son.

A quick pang of something very akin to regret or perhaps jealously sprang up in his chest for just a moment. Naruto was a really lucky kid.]

[Minato's still smiling at Zuko.]

Feeling any better now?

[Zuko actually ventures to give Minato a tiny smile.]

...Yeah. A little.

[...]

Thanks for coming.

[The smile is encouraging.]

Good.

[He returns it with a bright grin.]

I'll come whenever you need me.

... ... And your guard's down!

[Goes for another hair ruffle!}

[Zuko considers diving out of the way again. He'd seen it coming, actually, and perhaps Minato was underestimating his reflexes.

But instead, for some reason he couldn't quite--or didn't really want to--explain to himself, he moved just a little too slowly. The touch on his head was warm and friendly. Kind of like a father's should be.

It did make him feel better.

...and his own father wouldn't have even cared if he'd died, let alone bothered to try comforting him. Not that he was bitter about it or anything. He'd let it go. He had. Really.]

[Minato sees Zuko tense up slightly as if he planned on dodging it--but in the end, Zuko didn't. And that was telling, really. The same sort of reaction he got from Naruto, sometimes.

This kid was just as affection-starved as his own son. Then and there, Minato decides he'll do whatever he can to help fix that. Zuko deserved to be cared for.

So Minato slows down the hair ruffle until he stops, letting his hand linger on Zuko's head for a few more moments before letting it drop.]

There, now your hair's properly messed up. We can make Mai wonder what you've been up to while she was absent.

[Zuko doesn't move, letting Minato do that dad thing he was so good at, and actually... well, kind of enjoying it. He could hardly believe he let his guard down so much with someone he'd technically only known a short while but it felt... safe.

Zuko didn't feel safe around a lot of people.

Slowly, he smiles, his lips quirked in a teasing sort of way. Whatever strange situation Minato is trying to suggest, he's having none of that. Though it is rather funny trying to imagine it.]

It's Mai. She'd probably ignore it or just tell me to find a comb.

[Minato had that way of affecting people. He was Naruto's father, after all. It only made sense for the father to have a similar effect on others as the son.

He was glad to see that Zuko was relaxing and wasn't brooding so much anymore. The kid really did need someone looking after him. Although he wasn't much of a kid anymore--a teenage Fire Lord. But that didn't mean he didn't still need comfort every now and then.

Especially considering the horrible way he died. Minato figured that he was most likely not dealing with it at all. It was best if he dealt with it sooner rather than later, but Minato wanted him a bit more relaxed before he started up any type of conversation like that.

But for now, Minato had a different dilemma on his hands. He grows thoughtful, bringing a hand to his chin and leaning in closer to inspect Zuko.]

We'll have to do something more drastic, then. Perhaps spiking it, or dyeing it blue...?

[Zuko eyed Minato suspiciously when he leaned in, oh-so-thoughtful, but when the older man made that suggestion, his eyes widened in mild horror.]

Blue? You're out of your mind.

[He glares at Minato, scooting away toward the opposite end of the couch again and crossing his arms in a huff.]

Leave my hair alone, you creep.

[Minato pauses for a moment, obviously trying very hard to keep a straight face. And then, he fails miserably. He sags a bit, shaking with silent laughter.]

Ah, ah Zuko! I was only kidding!

[He has to prop himself up on the back of the couch to keep from falling over.]

[Hmph. Have some moody teenage pouting for your troubles as Zuko sticks his nose in the air, pulling his legs up to sit cross-legged on the couch, one elbow on his knee and fist propping up his chin. He glares sideways at Minato, but it's the kind of glare that's just there for show and it holds no realy anger. Maybe some justified annoyance though.]

It's hardly funny.

[Minato manages to compose himself again after only a few more moments, and he smiles to Zuko almost apologetically.]

I'm sorry--I couldn't help myself. You're easy to tease.

[Have some more harrumphing.]

[Minato can't help but continue to smile--although it grows a bit sad as he continues to speak.]

Now that you're only posturing instead of actually being depressed, maybe we should get onto a more serious topic...?

[Zuko blinks, stiffening slightly, then sighing a little. He sits up a bit straighter, looking off into the distance.]

Like what?

[Oh, like he doesn't already know. But it's worth the chance he might have assumed wrongly.]

Like about how you're holding up emotionally.

[Minato sighs, then glances to Zuko with concern.]

Dying wasn't easy for me. I had to come to terms with it. ... Have you dealt with it yet?

[Zuko doesn't look at him, eyes roaming somewhere outside the window and watching the snow fall.]

I don't care that I died. I just don't like the fact I upset everyone.

...there are people I want to protect. Not only did I hurt those people, but now I'm stuck without my Firebending again. It's frustrating.

[Minato sighs a little. He's not sure whether Zuko's lying or not about his reaction to his death, but there's nothing he can do about that right now. Right now, he can only take what Zuko said at face value.]

It's better than upsetting no one. It means that they care about you, Zuko. It's one of those trade-offs about being human.

I'm frustrated about not having my abilities either, but I'm not letting that stop me from trying to protect those I care about. Do you have other skills at your disposal? And there's always the option that I could train you in physical abilities that don't require firebending. Grumping about it won't change anything--you have to be proactive.

[Yeah, he's lying. Dying seriously freaked him out, and the issues about Muraki are rather upsetting too. But he's not about to tell you that.

Zuko sighs, finally turning to look at Minato, sounding a tiny bit exasperated. It's not like he doesn't appreciate the pep-talk, but it's not changing the facts.]

I have my swords and martial arts, but sometimes that's not enough. Especially when I know there are times I could have done something.

But sure. I wouldn't mind training with you.

[Minato smiles softly at that.]

Swords and Martial Arts? That's a start, at least. We can compare styles... and I can teach you throwing knives and shuriken. Having the ability to attack at a distance is pretty useful.

[Zuko nods appreciatively]

Yes, projectile weapons would be useful. I'd like to learn that. But do you have enough to spare? I doubt this place will conveniently sell them or anything.

[Minato chuckles.]

As long as we choose someplace where it'd be possible to retrieve the knives, it should be fine!

That makes sense.

[And he's staring off into space again, eyes far away and unreadable.]

[Damn. The kid's back to brooding again. He must have lied about being over his death. Minato figured he did, but now he's more sure about it.

He lets out a sigh, then stretches and leans back, putting his arms on top the back of the couch, on either side of him. Conveniently, one arm is over the side Zuko is on. It's not touching him, but it would only take a moment of movement to change that.]

...

[Zuko stiffens a little when he registers the older man's movement, the placement of his arm. He knows what Minato is doing, and his chest and throat are tightening suddenly in response, at the prospect of just letting himself seek comfort.

But no, he can't do that. He'd stayed strong in front of Mai; he'd keep it up. He isn't a little boy anymore. He can take care of his problems on his own. Isn't that what he'd been doing for years now? Ever since Mother left... He has no need for this. He barely knows this man.

And already he was wishing Minato had taken the role of father in his life long ago. He can't remember Ozai ever offering what the blonde man offered right now. Never.

But, no, he can't... So he'd died. So what? People here don't care about death; they come back. They accept it. It's not a big deal. He's being childish and he isn't a child anymore.

Jaw clenched and fighting the lump in his throat, Zuko doesn't let himself look over or lean back, and simply pretends not to notice.

The silence continues.]

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[commentlog \o/] Congrats on Kushina, Minato~ XD (and sorry this is novel length >< )