29 - [voice] Hospital time again

[forged_anew]

[There's a bit of silence, with just some quiet rustling for a few seconds, and then a soft sigh before Zuko speaks. He sounds somewhat resigned and really exhausted.]

I'm back. Sorry if I worried anyone. I'm fine.

[Another pause, and a muffled, strained cough. The next part is mumbled kind of quickly and sheepishly]

I... I'm... um, at the hospital. If anyone wanted to know.




Oh... Jackie, and Jackie's friends... Um, thanks.

Comments

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Nah. Prince charming's pretty tame today.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[twitch]

What's that supposed to mean? I've been told by most of the people I know in no uncertain terms to stay put, so sorry if I'm "tame." And don't call me that.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Rules were meant to be broken.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[eyebrow raise]

Trust me, I'm not sitting here in bed just because I was told to be.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[Yawns and cracks his neck getting himself comfortable in Zuko's bed.]

Mm. Hatori would get pissed if I left.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[Zuko leans back against his own pillows, watching Haru with a neutral expression]

Who's that?

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Family Doctor. He's also here.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

Oh. That's convenient for you though, having a doctor you already trust.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

mm. But he's busy, I don't like troubling him like that.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

Huh? Isn't it his job though?

Re: commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Mm, but he's still my cousin.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

Like I said, you're lucky you have someone you trust to take care of you. I doubt he feels like he's being troubled.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

He should be worrying about more important things.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[silence for a moment, and Zuko just watches him thoughtfully before speaking again.]

Haru, you're just... a really selfless guy, aren't you?

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Not really. I'm a pretty selfish guy.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

Doesn't seem that way to me. If you were selfish, you wouldn't be worried about troubling this Hatori guy.

[...]

And you wouldn't be sitting near me. Or talking to me.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Maybe I'm just selfish in other ways.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

How's that?

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Even after Rin dumped me, I still forced my feelings on her. I suffocated her.

commentloggy~ (strikes=not there)

[forged_anew]

[Zuko shrugged a little, subconsciously wincing, but looking at Haru as if he hadn't even noticed]

But you said it worked out, and it seemed like she didn't mind. The first time anyway.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[ He looked over at Zuko and stared in silence for a bit. He then looked to his lap and smiled.]

Maybe you're right.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[Zuko also looked down, smoothing Haru's coat--which he seemed to be using as an extra blanket--over his lap slowly, his voice kind of uncertain]

I think... sometimes caring for people can seem selfish... but it's not really because they rely on you too... Right?

So it's... okay. To care about someone...

[Yeah, he's not as good as Uncle on the deep life-insights, but he tries :| ]

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[ He laughed a little more and smiled at him.]

You've come a long way since the first time we've talked.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[Zuko looked up, blinking in surprise]

Huh?

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Nothing.