#the amazing isopup

[carolofthebell]

Bathtime for Scuttles

[thisentertaining]

Uncles’ Tea

Two Uncles meet regarding one nephew. Things go about as well as one could reasonable expect.

A tiny ficlet thing I made based on the AMAZING ATLA fic Salvage by @muffinlance 

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Iroh smiled as Zuko ran off towards the hull of the ship as a man called for someone to help with the rigging. He was too far to hear what the man said, but whatever it was made his nephew bristle, but the Water Tribe Warrior didn’t flinch, despite the angry firebender standing feet away from his heavily scarred arm and shoulder. Instead, he simply ruffled Zuko’s dark hair, though not hard enough to pull a single strand out of the wolftail holding his hair back, or the braids with beads that were making the prince appear more of water than fire. The hair suited him, much better than his phoenix tail ever had.

The casual affection of the water tribe crewmen and doting dog suited him even more. The man’s smile settled into an expression of peace as he watched his nephew expertly pull, tie, and coil ropes, pausing only to pet the isopup that nuzzled at his legs. These men had managed to reawaken a Zuko he’d feared that Ozai had buried too deeply to rise again. While a part of him would always wish that he had been the one to successfully bring his nephew down this path, he was too proud that he’d found his way to let it bother him.

Much.

“Ah,” A voice said and Iroh turned to see an elderly man coming up beside him. The water tribesman had a soft smile on his face, and both blue and red beads in his hair. “You must be my nephew’s other uncle.”

Iroh blinked. Paused. Followed the man’s eyeline to where Zuko was lightly bickering with a pair of boys a few years older than him as he continued to knot the ropes holding the sails. Suddenly, the retired general found himself feeling much less charitable. “What was that, friend?” He asked, grinning a grin that showed the teeth of a dragon. “I’m afraid I didn’t hear, I was watching my nephew. He has become quite good with water tribe sailing methods.”

Kustaa smiled back, though his eyes had sharpened. “Yes, my nephew is an excellent student. He has learned much about our way of life, and learned it quickly, especially about healing. I am lucky that the second best apprentice I’d ever had was my nephew as well.”

Iroh ignored the ‘second best’ comment, and the way the man’s lips quirked when he said it, as though there was a joke that the old prince did not understand. He kept his voice level and calm, steel below the surface, hidden under a layer of peace. He didn’t think this healer would miss it. “Yes. He has already told me much about your people. He was especially proud to tell me about his beads, and how important they are. He told me that they indicate very close bonds for family and friends. I notice…” He brought more steel to the surface. “That he doesn’t have one of yours.”

Kustaa was suddenly very sure that all of his falling practice had really been in preparation for this exact moment. He turned his face so that the red bead was facing the Fire Nation Prince. “I notice that you don’t have one of his.”

“Uncle!” Zuko suddenly shouted, and both men turned to the boy as he ran to them.

“Yes?” They asked simultaneously, before shooting identical glares.

Zuko scowled, response automatic. “You aren’t my uncle!” He shouted immediately, automatically. He always yelled that. It didn’t- it didn’t mean anything. That didn’t stop Iroh from smirking at his uncle opponent superiorly. Kustaa didn’t even glance Iroh’s way, instead pretending to be wounded.

“Ooh, I see how it is. Your other uncle comes and suddenly I’m kicked to the curb, and after you killed your cousin as well. Will you leave me with no one?”

“Wait- I mean, I didn’t- STOP THAT!” Zuko shouted, but Kustaa simply smiled at his nephew, touching his red bead in a subtle gesture that he knew would reassure the youngster.

Zuko rolled his eyes, and Iroh cut into the conversation. “Prince Zuko, I believe you called for me.” He glanced at Kustaa at the last word. Zuko paused, reading the room for the first time. When had he learned to do that?

“Um, I just wanted to ask if you still like roast duck. I- uh, I don’t think I have all the ingredients for it, but I think I can make a good Duck soup. I have the recipe for one at least.”

“That sounds wonderful, nephew. You cook now?”

The boy smiled softly, flushing. “Yeah, they kept making me heat their food and someone only let me work half the day, so I got bored.”

Iroh laughed. “I am surprised they got you to stop working. I admit, that is not something I’d ever achieved.” Zuko blushed. “Come, you can tell me all about what you have learned over some tea.”

“That sounds wonderful.” Kustaa inserted himself. “I will make some of my cloudberry. I know how much you enjoy it, nephew.”

“Ah,” Iroh cut in, any veil gone. “But I brought Jasmine. It is Prince Zuko’s favorite.”

“Is it now.”

“Yes. Ever since he was a child.”

Zuko’s eyes darted between the two, taking cautious steps back. “Um, actually I think Toklo wanted my help with laundry.”

“But Nephew,” Kustaa said, eyes never leaving his uncle opponent. “We were going to have tea.”

“Yes.” Iroh replied, also not looking away. “Some nice calming tea sounds lovely right now.”

“I don’t want any tea Uncle.” Zuko shouted. He considered the side of the ship and briefly considered quickly exiting the conversation before remembering his recent talk with Hakoda. Instead, he inched around the two glaring uncles. “Oh look, uh Seabreeze’s wing is looking weird again.”

Iroh and Kustaa’s eyes remained locked on one another. A challenge. A battle. Two Uncles. One nephew. After a moment however, a wicked smirk ghosted Kustaa’s face. “I propose a truce. Uncles’ do not need to fight one another. Not when there is a father to gang up against.”

Iroh’s brows rose and he looked pointedly at the warriors training and the waterbender helping steer the ship towards the Avatar. “I believe we are already doing that.”

Kusta ‘tsked’ dismissively. “Zuko’s real father. Come, let’s have that tea. I can tell you where our nephew ended up the first time Hakoda took him shopping.”

Iroh considered this for a moment. He looked to his nephew, dressed in blue clothing but walking more relaxed than he had in years, even as he struggled to avoid a dozen crewmate hands reaching to pet his hair. “I have always wanted to try cloudberry when brewed by a master. I’m sure the Earth Kingdom counterparts don’t do it justice.” 

Hakoda, standing just close enough to overhear and supervise suddenly considered climbing the mast.

[carolofthebell]

Muffin’s been editing so I’ve prepared some preemptive scuttles cuddles to help us through the coming trauma.

[image id: Zuko from salvage wearing a watertribe parka cuddling scuttles in his lap, getting isopuppy kisses on his jaw]