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The first thing Zuko registered when he slipped back into consciousness was that the whole room was rocking. Like he was on a boat. And there was something warm beside him.
Zuko slowly opened his eye. The first thing he saw was the worried face of…
“…Kuzon?”
He immediately brightened up and smiled. “Zuko! You’re awake! You’ve had me worried for quite a few days.”
…Worried? Why would-
The Agni Kai. Father. Searing hot pain-
Father, Father was here! He was here and his face was burning-
Someone gripped his shoulder (gently but firmly), and told him to breathe. Why wasn’t he breathing? Why was it so hard to breathe? Was he dyin-
Don’t panic.
He sucked in a breath, cold and sharp. He heard that someone count. He exhaled at five. He took in another breath, and repeated the process till he could see the (person? spirit?) in front of him. He looked around. His surroundings were unfamiliar.
“Kuzon, where am I?” and why am I here? went unsaid.
Kuzon looked relieved and sad at the same time. “On a ship. Your father,” He spat out the word ‘father’ like it was some kind of poison, “banished you right after the… Agni Kai.” He looked as if he was about to call ‘Agni Kai’ something disrespectful else but stopped himself last moment.
Father didn’t want him. The thought hurt.
He took in a few ragged breaths. Father would be disappointed seeing his poor breath control. He ducked his head in shame.
A warm hand gently held his chin and got him to look up. Kuzon was smiling. “What’s the matter, little flame?”
“ ’m sorry.”
Kuzon looked confused at that. “Why are you sorry?”, he asked, gently.
Because he panicked. Because he messed up breath control. Because he always messed up. Because he couldn’t shut up. Because he was a failure. Because he was hopeless.
Kuzon seemed to have gotten the gist of what he was thinking (how?), as his smile turned sad and understanding.
It was the same expression Uncle wore when he lied (terribly) that his fracture was from falling down a tree.
(Father broke his arm.)
It was the same expression mom wore when father hurt him.
Mom.
Zuko broke down in front of the… spirit. He missed mom. He missed her so much, he missed her hugs, and she left, she was gone, and it was his fault-
Kuzon swooped him into a hug. (It was warm and nice. Like the sun. Like mom). Like an overflowing dam, everything came tumbling out.
“I messed up! I messed up and disrespected the Fire Lord, I shouldn’t have spoken up, F-father didn’t, so it wasn’t my place, And I was stupid-“
“You weren’t stupid, little flame. If anything, you were brave. You were very brave, standing up for those new recruits.” Kuzon was looking at him, eyes filled with resolve, and was that pride?
“…I was?” Zuko asked, unsure and hesitating, and hopeful.
Kuzon smiled warmly (and sadly). “You were, little flame, you were. I- ,I mean, Agni was pleased with what you did.” He winced a bit, as if he caught himself before saying… something.
Zuko frowned. “But I disrespected the Fire Lord.”
Kuzon looked like he was withholding a groan. “The Fire Lord in question disrespected m-, uh, Agni!”
His confusion must have shown on his face, because Kuzon clarified, “Do you really think Agni would accept the burning of a child, little flame?”
“He wouldn’t accept it if it was done to a child. But I deserved it, Kuzon.”
Kuzon looked furious. Zuko shrunk back, scared.
“You didn’t deserve it! You are thirteen! What you had done was right, and the Fire Lord had no right to burn you, especially after you had surrendered! How do you think Agni would ever forgive him for what he has done?”
..................................................................................
Agni was furious.
Not at his little flame, no, his little flame was so pure, and so innocent, how could he ever be angry at him?
He was angry at Ozai.
How dare that fool make his little flame believe that he was wrong?
That wouldn’t do. He looked at Zuko.
The boy, his boy, was terrified of him now, though. Deep breaths, calm down.
“Did you mean it?” asks a voice, unsure and so hopeful, it broke his heart.
As gently as he could, he replied, “Of course, little flame, I did.”
“How do you know if Agni will forgive father or not?” His smart, kind little flame asked, young eyes curious and slightly suspicious.
Crap.
How in Dragon Fire’s name did he not anticipate that question?
“I, uh, I am.. Agni- Agni’s friend! Yeah! We’re best buddies!” What? That sounded dumb even to his ears. Please let him not-
Zuko, however (bless his little, innocent little flame), replied, “You are?” with his eyes (no, eye. That insufferable delinquent burnt off one eye.)
He actually bought it. Wow.
“Yeah. He was angry. Like, really angry. When your father did that, I mean.”
“He was?” Flames, he sounded so young. He was young.
Yes. Agni wanted to strike down that idiot and make him pay for ruining the childhood of this little spark.
“Yeah, he was, little flame, he was.”
Zuko scrunched up his face. “Why do you call me that?”
“Call you what?” Agni was… not exactly confused, but, well, slightly puzzled.
“Little flame. You’ve called me that ever since we met.”
Oh. “Because that’s what you are to me.” Agni replied, beaming.
“You are Agni’s little flame child.”
And wasn’t The pleasant surprize on Zuko’s, his Little Flame’s face adorable?