Chapter Text
A dingy boat is where, for the first in weeks Zuko doesn't feel like absolute shit.
Yes, the boat is cramped, damped and filled to the brim with refugees but compared to days drifting at sea this is a huge improvement.
Refugee. Thats what he is now. Not a prince, not a banished one and not even a traitor.He’s just Lee, refugee and nephew of mushi. He hates how he’s gotten used to the name.
He needs to behave. This is a new life and a fresh start. Away from the Fire nation. Away from his past and hopefully make way for a future where he isn't dead by 17. Lay low and stay low. he can do that, for uncle.
He tries to drown out the noise with his toughts but that completly fails when uncle rudly decides speaks up. “who would have though”, he says solemly, “that after all these years. I would return to the scene of my greatest military disgrace”, he pauses and then smiles? “As a tourist!”
what the fuck uncle.
“Look around.” Zuko says, pissed. “We’re not tourist. We’re refugees.”
He takes a sip from a bowl of whats suppose to be soup and immediately spits it out. “Uh!” He exclaims. “I’m sick of eating rotten food, and sleeping in the dirt, i'm tired of living like this.”
“Aren't we all.”
Someone ineterrupts. The stranger walks forward and towards Zuko, he stops; crosses is arms and is followed by two others. “My names jet,” he continiuse, “and these are my freedom fighters.”
“Smeller bee, he says pointing to the short kid, and long shot” pointing to the taller one
“Hello.” Zuko akwardly replies. Because what else are you suppose to do when three strangers apporch you, obviously wanting something.
Who are they? Zuko thinks. Whats do they want? This jet guy seems like the leader an- oh shit.
freedom fighters.
freedom fighters from the Earth kingdom.
Do they know who i am? They know they know fuck im in danger fuck uncle is in dan-
“I hear the captains eating like a king” he says interrupting Zuko’s frantic toughts. “While us refugees have to feed of his scraps.
Doesn't seen fair does it?” He ask, but, it's not the kind of question you answer.
Okay, maybe not in danger?
“What sort of king is he eating like?” ask uncle.
“The fat happy kind.” Jet replies, disgust ovious in his voice. Turning to Zuko he ask. “You wanna help us liberate some food?” The stranger has a way with words that tell a tale and Zuko cant help buy be swayed.
Zuko takes one look at the food in his bowl -lay low stay of of trouble- and throw it overboard.
“Im in.”
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There’s being tired and then there’s being tired.
Tired is the kind of thing that seeps into you. That bone deep exhaustion. The kind of thing that makes you realize just how much energy goes into breathing. The kind of thing you feel after days drifting at sea.
Fortunately for Zuko, he’s feeling tired, the first one. Sitting on the floor with his back against the wall next to his uncle, the sound of dozens of people talking fill the room while Zuko watches as the other refugees eat the food that he and jet liberated.
Zuko looks down at his own bowl and thinks, huh that was worth it.
Jet walks towards them and filling the silence says “From what i heard," He pauses and and sits down. "People eat like this every night in ba sing se. I cant wait to set my eyes on that giant wall.”
“Its is a magnificent beauty.” uncle says.
“So you've been there before?” ask Jet.
“Once, when i was a different man” uncle regretfully replies.
Shifting his head jet answers. “Ive done somethings in my past that i'm not proud off… but thats why im going to ba sing se. For a new begging, second chance.”
“Thats very noble of you,” he looks at Zuko “I belive people can change their lives if they want to i belive in second chances.” Zuko doesn’t miss the glance uncle sends him.
There’s a pause and smile creeps on Jets face as he faces Zuko
“You know what, we make a pretty good team.”
"Yeah I guess we do."
Jet look to to ceiling. "You should join us, Lee. If Ba sing se isn't the safe haven it's said to be I could use another hand."
And at this Zuko stops. It's one thing to steal once in a poorly guarded boat, It's another to do it regularly. Luck runs out and while the average Earth kingdom civilian can't recognise him, he can't say the same for government officials.
"Yeah" Zuko replies "I think I'm good."
Jet nods, He understands but is also disappointed.
They talk for the rest of the trip. The subject of the freedom fighters is not brought up again.
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At the loading dock area, there is a small stall open from early noon to late evening that sells tea to the new arrivals. It Isn't the best tea place in the city but it is the only one in the there and when you are a tired refugee who just got out of the war, tea is tea.
So when Iroh drinks his cup, he complains of its coldness.