Façades [A Zuko x OC Story]

6 - Untold Stories

"Hey, Iroh?" The man hums from beside me, "Can you teach me how to play Pai Sho?" The older man's eyes light up as he looks at me with a big smile, "I thought you were never going to ask. I could use a worthy opponent." Just as Iroh was going to begin explaining the game, a strong gust of wind blows over the deck.

"There is a storm coming. A big one." He declares. Zuko walks up to his uncle, "You're out of your mind, Uncle. The weather's perfect. There's not a cloud in sight."

"A storm is approaching from the north." Iroh turns to Zuko.

"Your uncle is right, Firefly. Something in the air doesn't feel right." Iroh nods his head agreeing with me while Zuko glares at me for using the nickname he hates.

"I suggest we alter our course and head southwest." Iroh continues. Zuko points northward, "We know the Avatar is travelling northward, so we will do the same."

"If you want to die in the storm," I mutter to myself.

"I heard that!" Zuko snaps.

"Prince Zuko, consider the safety of the crew," Iroh states calmly. Zuko advances to his uncle angrily, "The safety of the crew doesn't matter!" I choke on the air, "What!?"

The rest of the crew stands shocked at Zuko's words. Lieutenant Jee looks enraged. Zuko turns to Jee, marches up to him and says, "Finding the Avatar is far more important than any individual's safety." Before leaving the deck.

"Way to go Zuko! Really makes me feel like a part of a family." I say sarcastically.

"He doesn't mean that. He's just all worked up." Iroh says, placing a hand on Lieutenant Jee's shoulder. I rest my weight on one hip, "I'm pretty sure he meant it."

-

After a while, Zuko stopped being a moody teenager and came back onto the deck, pacing at the bow. Looking up, dark clouds begin to circle above, "Looks like your uncle was right about the storm after all." Jee taunts Zuko. I lean against the railing of the deck ready to watch the showdown.

"Lucky guess," Iroh replies happily. Zuko whirls around with an aura of rage, marching over to Jee, "Lieutenant! You'd better learn some respect," Zuko jabs the older man's chest with his fingers, "Or I will teach it to you," Zuko steps away from the Lieutenant.

"What do you know about respect?" After this statement, a look of panic washes over Iroh's face as he begins to make cutting gestures at his neck.

"Lieutenant, maybe you shou-" I start, but get cut off by Jee, "The way you talk to everyone around here, from your hard-working crew to your esteemed uncle and even your girlfriend, shows you know nothing about respect!" I open my mouth to correct the lieutenant but close it because even if I said something he wouldn't listen right now.

"You don't care about anyone but yourself! Then again, what should I expect from a spoiled prince?" Zuko prepares to firebend as Lieutenant Jee does the same. They wrist block each other, smoke coming from Zuko's hand, "Easy now." Iroh begins warily.

I grab Zuko's wrist while Iroh grabs Jee's, "Enough! We're all a bit tired from being at sea so long. I'm sure after a bowl of noodles, everyone will feel much better." Iroh finishes. I release Zuko's wrist while Lieutenant Jee walks away.

"I don't need your help keeping order on my ship." Zuko angrily states. Iroh places a gentle hand on Zuko's shoulder, but Zuko shrugs it off and walks away. I slump over, "I thought we were going to need to find a new Lieutenant there for a second."

-

I sit in the lower levels of the ship with the rest of the crew minus Iroh and the prince.

Jee complains about Zuko, "I'm sick of taking his orders! I'm tired of chasing his Avatar! I mean, who does Zuko think he is?" I tiredly nod my head, getting bored of Jee's complaints.