#you cannot escape the government mandated babysitting sailing trip

[ironicoatmeal]

there is no escape for lieutenant Jee

he's home (again).

it's different this time. this time it's not in the midst of an invasion- his father and sister have fallen. the war is over. his uncle's coronation is this afternoon. it's hasty and rushed, but the sooner he can get on the throne, the sooner the end to the war can be a formal one. he's not stupid enough to believe everyone in the fire nation will fall in line, but...

...it's a step in the right direction.

"nephew."

kou glances over his shoulder at his uncle. azula had banished all the palace tailors, so they'd had to find some from the caldera and fast, but they seem to have done a pretty good job at resizing the fire lord's robes to fit his uncle. the old man smiles at him and asks if he can sit next to him. he's not going to turn him down.

"still fond of the turtleduck pond, i see."

"yeah," kou admits, "-i missed the little guys."

he had- and it's not just the turtleducks, or even the garden he spent so much time with his mom in. despite all of the bad memories, part of him had always missed this place. it hadn't been all bad- he'd had his mom. his uncle and lu ten... and then it had just been his uncle.

he idly ribbons water around his fingers. he keeps expecting someone will emerge from the woodwork and stop him, but no one does. he's not even sure if the few servants and courtiers that lasted through azula's purge even recognize him as prince zuko. he certainly doesn't feel like him anymore.

...that's probably also why he's been avoiding said servants since this morning. he knows uncle wants him to attend the coronation in the formal wear of a prince, to formally announce that prince zuko is alive to the fire nation- and the rest of the world. he knows uncle wants him to be his heir. he just... doesn't know if he wants that.

he just wants to let prince zuko rest.

"you know," his uncle says, "-it would be nice to have you by my side, nephew."

kou hums. he doesn't look at him.

his uncle sighs and pats his head. he tells him that would be nice... but he can understand it if that is not what he wants. you have set yourself on your own path in life, nephew. though it is not one i always agree with, it is very much your own. it is not his place to dissuade you. but if i may make a suggestion...

...he does not think many in the fire navy will lay down their arms so easily. some may decide to become pirates themselves. it would be quite useful if he had someone he could trust leading the charge against them. someone who was already quite familiar with the trade of a pirate.

kou looks up with a sly grin. uncle. you want to make me into a privateer?

iroh's smile is an equally sly one.

alright. you've talked him into it. he already thinks he knows a few good people who might be interested in serving on his crew...