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]

When in distressed, we all show a side of ourselves we aren't happy with.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

Yeah... I definitely know how that is.

[...]

You know, you can give pretty good advice for someone who's not really an old man.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

I'm wise beyond my years.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

I've noticed.

And I'm pretty lucky.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

You maybe lucky now, but youth doesn't last forever.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[Zuko smiles slightly, looking up at Haru]

No, Haru. I meant I'm lucky to have you and your advice.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Ah. That is true. Not everyone can have an oldman friend.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[Pfft, stop calling yourself old, dummy!]

Especially one who isn't actually an old man?

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Those are the most rare.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[And you just get a smile. An actual smile. From Zuko. Whoa.]

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[ Haru just stares at him for a very long time.]

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[Yep, it's pretty stare-worthy, isn't it? Will just be smiling over here because it's finally hit him-- Haru's not mad, he's healing, and he's forgiven him.

Finally, something decent happening in Zuko's life. It must be the end of the world]

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[ Haru reaches over to Zuko to ruin this lovely moment by pinching his cheeks.]

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[dflkrdfkjld FLAIL. Ouch. Dammit, Haru. D: ]

What the--? Hey!

[And he'll now be batting your hands away with one hand, holding his ribcage with the other and scowling and--

Laughing. Yes. Laughing quietly, while still holding his ribs in place]

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[ He lets go after a while and smiles warmly at the other. It was the first time he had ever seen Zuko so.. happy.]

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[Yeah, well, it's the first time he's BEEN happy in a really, really long time. Mostly it's just the overwhelming, sudden relief though and hope that everything was going to work out after all. Zuko doesn't get hopeful very often fff

After a few moments, he sits back against the pillows again, breathing heavily and wincing, but definitely in a better mood despite the fact he probably just busted his ribs again.

He rubs his cheek and scowls for good measure anyway, because too much happy!Zuko brings about the apocalypse or something]

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

You know... that isn't a bad look for you.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

What?

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

That charming princely smile of yours. It almost had me swooning.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

Uh...

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[Haru just laughs and shakes his head a little.]

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[And Zuko's looking away kind of sheepishly, rubbing his side carefully and secretly being glad he and Haru are in the same room despite his earlier reservations about it]

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[Haru turns his gaze to the ceiling and yawned a little.]

Getting that off your chest must have taken a lot of energy, maybe you should rest.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[And as soon as Haru says that, of course, he's suddenly exhausted. Zuko blinks at Haru for a moment, before finally speaking in a quietly tired but content tone]

Hey. You going back to your own bed or what?

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Yeah, unless you need a bedtime story.