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]

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.

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.