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~

[forged_anew]

[Oh, good. He'll just be... visibly relaxing now and looking a bit sheepish. Silly Zuzu]

Oh. Right.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[ Haru shook his head in amusement and leaned over to Zuko to ruffle his hair.]

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[forged_anew]

[Zuko didn't see it coming, and so didn't have enough time to move away. sklfgdf Why did everyone keep doing that!?

He gave a surprised start, scrambling backwards into his pillows and--ow. Wince. Scowl.]

Ow.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

That's what happens when little prince's wander off alone.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[Scooowl, and he'll just be gently rubbing at his rather damaged ribs now because, ouch, he should not have moved so fast]

Stop calling me weird things. And I didn't wander off. [Yes, Zuko, you did :| ]

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Then perhaps you were lost?

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[blink, and he sort of looks away thoughtfully, still rubbing his side absently]

Actually... I kind of was.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

And you call me bad. [He might be teasing a little.]

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[Zuko shook his head slowly, not catching on to the teasing]

I didn't mean physically.

...but I think I'm okay now. I thought about a lot of things.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

Normal people lock themselves in rooms to think. They don't go out to get themselves killed.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[Just a hint of a flinch at those words. He tried, really. Since that's what he normally does too. But it didn't really cut it this time since he was terrified that he'd revert and just start hurting people again.]

I just... needed to get away.

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

[ He sighed a little and just laid back against the bed staring at the ceiling.]

I'll drop it. I'm sorry.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

No, it's okay.

[Zuko shook his head a little, staring at his lap]

You deserve an explanation. I know I made everyone worry but...

[sigh]

I didn't want to risk staying until I was sure it wouldn't come back. Whatever it was.

...I didn't want to hurt you more. Or anyone.

I know I was just running away but I didn't know what else to do...

commentloggy~

[moarcowbell.livejournal.com]

It was certainly something stupid to do... [Pauses for a moment]

But it's someone every man would do.

commentloggy~

[forged_anew]

[looks up again with the tiniest of half-smiles]

Thanks, Haru.

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.

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[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.]