Make It Right | Zuko

One | 7

(I'm so sorry it's been a year since I last updated this! 😭 I was just reading it and now I'm motivated to keep going. So sorry again.)

It had been a short while since all the excitement with the pirates. Zuko and Lyra didn't have any more moments that built tension between them. But that was because Zuko seemed to be keeping his distance from her. He stopped going to her room like he used to and whenever she went to visit him, he would be fast asleep. During the days, he would avoid her as much as he could. Wherever she was, he would either leave or not go there at all.

It upset her a lot and even Iroh noticed the rift growing between them. As much as Lyra kept a smile on her face, he could see how much it was affecting her. And so he went to speak to his nephew.

Zuko was meditating in his room when he heard the knocking on the metal door. He kept his eyes closed and breathed out calmly.

"Come in."

Iroh entered the room and closed the door behind him. He stayed standing with his hands tucked in his sleeves with his brows slightly furrowed together.

"Prince Zuko, this is a matter of great importance. An urgent matter has arisen."
Zuko opened his eyes and turned to look over his shoulder. "Is it about the Avatar?"
"No. Even more important than that."
Zuko sighed and turned away again, closing his eyes. "If it's about another lotus tile-"
"It's about Lyra."

Zuko opened his eyes but didn't say anything. It was only a matter of time. He knew his uncle was going to say something.

"I understand you don't want to get distracted and that the Avatar is your priority but what you are doing to Lyra isn't fair. What has she done wrong?"
Zuko relaxed his meditation form as his expression softened. "She hasn't done anything wrong..."
"Then why are you avoiding her?"
"I don't know what to do, Uncle." He clenched his eyes shut tightly. "I just lose my focus whenever she's around."
"Why?"
"I don't know..." he sighed and opened his eyes again. "Sometimes I think I was wrong to bring her on this mission with me. She doesn't deserve to be dragged around on my quest and she doesn't deserve me as a friend right now. I'm avoiding her because I feel guilty that I can't give her the happiness she deserves."
"Let me tell you this, Prince Zuko. You never forced her to join you. Lyra joined you because she wanted to be with you. When your father burned and banished you and I carried you to this ship, she pushed through all the soldiers to be with you. She joined you so that she could help you on your mission. Being with you is where she is the happiest." He reached out and placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Avoiding her is leading her to believe that you don't want her here. The fact of the matter remains that she is her happiest with you and you are your happiest with her. As I see it, she is your greatest strength. If you want to reclaim your honour the right way, do it for her."

Zuko stayed silent, taking in what his uncle was telling him. It was true. He wanted his honour back for himself but Lyra gave him more motivation to pursue it.

Iroh then smiled and lowered his hand back into his sleeve. "You love her. That's what is making it more difficult for you."
Zuko finally looked at him with a worried crease between his brows. "It's like I don't know how to be around her anymore."

Iroh noted that he didn't deny his statement of loving her, which made him happy. He knew his nephew was trapped.

Zuko sighed quietly. "I don't want to ruin my friendship with her. What if I end up doing something stupid?"
"Well, if you want to do something stupid, you're off to a great start," Iroh chuckled. "Begin by going and speaking to her. She's on the deck."

With that, he stood and left the room. Zuko took a deep breath in and out, causing the flames of the candles to grow and shrink before returning to its natural flicker. He thought about what to say to Lyra. Knowing her, she wouldn't stay upset with him and she would definitely be a little emotional but try to hide it at the same time.