The Forgiven (Zutara)

Daddy Issues

Zukos POV
I enjoyed Freyas company. Her and I had grown quite close since the day Katara died. Sometimes I would say things to her and she'd reply, forgetting I couldn't understand her. I eventually always figured out what she wanted though. She laid her front paws, and her head on my lap and purred contently as I stroked my warm hand over her. "Freya I just wanted to say thank you for everything you've done for both Katara and myself." I said still petting her, knowing she was listening. "You've become a very highly esteemed companion and I just wanted you to know that." I spoke quietly. She grabbed my other hand and began giving it gently, loving licks as if to say; Same to you. I heard footsteps approach me but didn't turn around to see who it was.

"Zuko can we talk?" I heard Hakoda's familiar voice.

"I'm on watch but you're welcome to take a seat next to me and join me." I replied. He sat down and sighed. He looked rough. "Katara didn't tell me what happened last night, she just gave me the brief story. But whatever happened, you messed up. She didn't sleep last night. I just barely got her to go to sleep not more than five minutes ago. The first thing she did when she got out of bed after trying to sleep was go and torture that General. She was a mess when she came back from healing him last night. Surely you know by now how much respect I have for you, but I won't falter or bite my tongue because of it. You need to fix whatever it was you did or said." I replied. He looked hurt.

"I know. That's what I came to talk about. I eavesdropped on her last night when she went to go take care of the General. I thought about entering but I stopped when he started talking about my wife, then Katara. I waited for her outside. I asked her why she never told me and why she had told you. I couldn't bring myself to look at her. I just, I kept thinking about my wife's death, and that General. I couldn't bring myself to look her in the eye." He sighed.

"Do you blame her? For your wife's death?" I asked bluntly.

"N-No. I-I don't know. I don't think I do but everything seems so unsure right now." Hakoda admitted hesitantly.

"After finding out that someone you love has been hurt like that, it's normal for things to be blurry, or confusing, but what happened doesn't define her. It's not who she is. Katara is amazing. She's going through her own conflict of emotions right now, I doubt you've noticed but what she's doing to that General is only draining her. If I try to step in it'll fuel her fire. She'll think she's weak so she'll keep doing it, until it inevitably makes her weak. I'm not the one she needs right now. She needs a father. You were away for three years, so why don't you just get your shit together and be there for her? What happened to her mom wasn't her fault. If you want to blame someone you take it out on the general but I won't have you taking it on out Katara. She doesn't deserve that." I hissed. I realized I probably shouldn't have been so hard on him, especially since thats her father, and she'd probably get mad if she heard the way I spoke to him...I just couldn't help it. I saw what it was doing to her, I just don't want them to have a rift in the relationship. Especially when nothing they can do is going to change it. 

"But how can I truly be there for her if I don't even know that I want to? I mean, of course, I want to....I couldn't even look her in the eye, Zuko. It was like I was looking at her mother and after finding out all that had happened- I just- I couldn't do it." He replied.

"If your wife were still alive would you blame her for what the General did to her?" I asked. He shook his head.

"No. Never." He replied.

"And if she wasn't able to save Katara. If the General killed her,  but left your wife alive. Would you blame her?" I asked.

"No." He replied.

"So then why is it even a question. Katara was only 8. There was absolutely nothing she could've done. Had she moved he would've killed her and your wife. Be grateful you've still got a piece of your wife left. She's not gone Hakoda. Just because she's not here doesn't mean she's gone. She lives in both Sokka and Katara. Be grateful for that. They've impacted the world greatly, the legacy of your wife will live on because of them. Your wife will live on because the legacy of Katara and Sokka will be told for centuries. They did that. Not you. They did. So be grateful for her and when she wakes up, be here for her." I snapped.