on getting his hammer back

[not_taserproof]

Your patronizing does little to amuse, mundane. To to reclaim what is mine knowing it is only so because you saw fit to move it within my reach? A most hollow victory, knowing that reclaiming Mjolnir will not bring me any closer to returning to Asgard.

No. You are right. This is enough, for now. But do not mistake this for satisfaction. And know that when I do make my return, I do not intend to do so alone.

My brother will return, one day. I am certain of it.

Comments

[deformed]

Oh. Do you need his permission to go back?

[not_taserproof]

It was he who cast me out of Asgard. It will be his decision whether I am to return or not.

[deformed]

Is it worth going back?

[not_taserproof]

It is my home. I belong nowhere else.

I need only prove myself worthy of returning.

[deformed]

You don't need to prove yourself worthy of anything but being a good person, and you certainly don't need to wait for other people to notice and congratulate you. That's all an invitation back is.

[not_taserproof]

Were I not heir, there might be wisdom in your words. There will always be expectations of those who would be king.

[deformed]

I'm the Crown Prince of my homeland, too.

[ SUCK IT, THOR. ]

[not_taserproof]

And you chose not to return?

[ Hey, he's got a mom to go back to. ]

[deformed]

[ Wow, low blow. ]

No, I went back. It was all I ever wanted for so long, but the reality was very different. I was everything my father wanted me to be, the perfect son - he even sat me at his right hand during war counsels.

But I wasn't being myself.

[not_taserproof]

[ You totally started it. ]

I am not certain what you mean. What did he expect of you that you felt was so unlike yourself?

[deformed]

I realised I was on the wrong side of the war, even if I had to go against my own father.

[not_taserproof]

Then you strove for a noble cause, and in doing so were forced to leave your family behind.

That is unfortunate. I am sorry to hear it.

[deformed]

That's not my point. You shouldn't base all your actions on the desire to please someone so they grant you your honour back, only you can do that.

Even if it means saying no to going home, if it comes to it.

[not_taserproof]

I believe I --or rather, my mundane-- has found a way for me to do so.

It will not take me home again, but I will rest assured knowing that I have done something worthwhile. Something good, and honorable. And I hope my father sees and understands why, but it will not be simply for his sake.

It is also for my own.

[deformed]

If he's a good father, I imagine he'll understand.

[not_taserproof]

...he is. At least I believe him to be so.

It is no easy feat to be the Allfather. He does his best.

[deformed]

'Allfather' sounds like you have a really big family.

[not_taserproof]

He is considered a father figure to all those in his kingdom.

My own family is much smaller. Our father, mother, my younger brother, and I.

[deformed]

My father's the Fire Lord. Everyone in the Fire Nation was taught to fear him, first and foremost.

There's him, me and my younger sister.

[not_taserproof]

Fear is important. It prevents the foolish and weak from mustering their forces to attack, and threaten innocent lives.

Do they love him as well? Respect him?

[ He's avoiding asking how Zuko feels about him, because hey, kind of personal. He gets that. ]

[deformed]

Fear isn't supposed to be all you think of when you picture your leader. Everyone knows he's ...

[ And here Zuko shakes his head, since Ozai's idea of sanity is a little removed from everyone elses. He's not right in the head. Touching his face, he taps his scar in passing. ]

He gave me this when I was a boy, just for speaking out of turn. Then he banished me. Respecting someone like that is impossible, after ... a while.

[not_taserproof]

[ Ouch. Yeah, you win for Worst Dad. And that's running against Odin, King of Bad Parenting Decisions. Go you. ]

...I can understand the decision to part ways.