dear_mun | re: the finale (possible spoilers in the comments)

[ she tenses a little at the touch, but forces herself to relax a second later. when he finishes speaking, the first thing to leave her lips is a dry laugh. ]

Nobody needs to see that. [ she doesn't want to be alone, but the fact of the matter is she is. and it's probably for the best, too. ]

Asami. [In contrast to his gentle body language, his voice is extremely stern.] You are not alone. Romantic rejection hurts, parental rejection even more so, but you still have friends. Allies.

And this ally will come with you. I won't take no for an answer.

[ it's just the right amount of firmness, too. it snaps her out of her wallowing, making her realize she'd just been pitying herself - and that's the last thing she wants to do.

she considers his offer - his command, more like. he doesn't have to be there, he doesn't even have to offer. but he is, and she wonders about it for a moment before realizing... maybe it's best it is him, after all. bolin... bolin is amazing, but he's too close. he's been there throughout it all, and she can't really bear the thought of him seeing her so broken, if it ever came to that. she'd been strong, that last time they fought together and captured her father... but she can't be sure she'd be able to be that strong again.

iroh, though... iroh is nearly a stranger. and maybe that's who she needs - someone outside of this. someone who can keep her grounded.

with a small, sad smile, she looks up at him. slips a hand up to curl it over his, still on her shoulder. ]

...thanks.

Atta girl. [He smiles and raises his hand to ruffle her hair and let it linger on her head a moment.

This is what his namesake and his grandfather would do, he thinks. Try his best to be the parent or big brother to those in need. It's what she needs right now, and he doesn't mind taking a break from his own problems (if he has to write one more letter to one more widow, he going to have his own break.) to help her.

And take her out for comfort food.]

[ asami makes a little face at that, head tipping away from his hand. it's weird - the hair ruffling. it's not quite patronizing, but it's not exactly her usual brand of comfort either. ]

I'm not that much younger than you. [ she means to point out simply to shake off the odd gestures, but as soon as she says it she realizes how it could sounds like - and she immediately flushes and switches the subject.

(damn you ikki and mako! this is all your fault for putting those stupid ideas in her head in the first place!) ]

Anyway, I - I was thinking of going now. If you're not busy...

Heh, sorry. I don't...interact with younger people often. [And his other instinct to hug her would be much to forward.] I have no siblings, so maybe I misplace my instincts sometimes.

[He seems to understand. Though if Ikki starts repeating it to anyone other than her he might get embarrassed.

He holds up his arm for her to hold while they walk.] My schedule is clear.

[And who knows, maybe him staring down her dad will prevent any really cruel arguments from sprouting up.]

Well, I'm not your sibling. So you can start with that.

[ she laughs a little at his proffered arm. hers slips easily into his, though the closer and closer they get to republic city's jailhouse, the more and more her grip on his arm tightens, as if he were the very anchor keeping her down.

her dread escalates as they're brought to her father's holding cell, some dank, dirty thing at the end of a long and narrow hall. there's hardly any lighting, or any sound save for their combined footsteps, and as soon as she steps in front of him she has the strongest urge to turn around and run.

he looks so small in there. ]

...hi, dad.

[ the old man lifts his head and stares up at her, but he says nothing. barely acknowledges her presence more than that. she isn't too sure which hurts more - the angry, violent man she'd last seen, or this empty, apathetic man in front of her.

after a few, tense moments, she tugs on iroh's arm. ]

This was a bad idea - let's just go...

[He wraps an arm around her shoulder when she tugs on him, frowning slightly at the man in the cell.] I will support the decision you make, but...

[He gazes at Hiroshi one more time.] But I think you should try a little longer. Who knows when you have the courage, or me, to drag yourself here again?

[ she's ready to curl in on herself, truth be told. hiroshi's unwavering gaze is frightening, if only because of how utterly empty it is. this is a man who's been broken too many times, and now he has nothing left. and she feels pity, and anger, and frustration because maybe benders did take her mother away but

but she was still here. he still had her.

they had each other, and for the longest time, she thought that was good enough for him.

what can she even say to the man who'd essentially thrown her away? ]

...hi, dad. [ that's always a good place to start.

deep breath, and just keep going. ]

I'm sorry this happened to you. I'm sorry you let it. I'm sorry I wasn't enough to keep you happy when mom died, and I'm sorry I never noticed how sad and angry you'd been this entire time.

I'm sorry you feel like I left you, when I never even moved away. I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry I let you hurt me.

...but I'm not sorry for doing the right thing. And I hope one day you can understand that.

I love you, dad.

[ one more breath, and she finally releases the hold she'd had on iroh's arm. how long had she been gripping him so tightly?

she waits. and waits, and waits for some kind of reaction, but she gets none, and that's perhaps the most devastating thing he could have done at that moment.

she laughs, hollow and broken. she turns away. ]

Let's get out of here...

[He escorts her out quickly. Hand on her shoulder protectively as they make their way to the streets, with fresh air and light and noise for her to focus on instead.]

His illness is not your fault, Asami. And he is ill.

[He's angry though, and the words are hardly enough to sooth himself. How can one man be so cruel to his child? What starts them on such a dark path?]

I will discuss moving him to a different facility. The damage has been done, but his suffering will benefit none, and only continue to hurt both of you.

--no.

[ she surprises herself with the ferocity of her tone, but her decision's already been made. ]

He gets no special treatment.

[ with a short huff of breath, she finally feels all her energy leave her. whatever adrenaline she'd had that kept her on her feet back in that holding cell has left her now, and she practically sags against iroh now that they're finally far enough away. ]

...thank you. For being with me.

[He sighs and hold her close. It's easy enough to support her until she gets her legs again. Till then, he'll just sigh and gently pat her back.] If that is your wish, I support it.

You needed someone there. I am...honored you let me.

And...he is responsible for what has happened. You are a good gi...forgive me, a good woman, and a strong one. Never blame yourself for him.

[ somehow, she's turns around in his arms so that her face is buried against his chest. good. he can't see the tears threatening to spill; somehow, she's still managed to keep it together enough not to cry. ]

No, I... I should have been able to tell. He's my father, I should have... been able to help.

Shh. No, you wouldn't have been able to tell because he was trying to hide it. [He squeezes her, resting his chin on the top of her head.] No one expects this. The only reason I know anything is because of...because of my Great Aunt.

He is to be pitied, maybe even forgiven someday, but he isn't your fault.

[ asami quiets as soon as iroh mentions his great aunt. she's heard about her, of course. everyone has. the fallen fire princess. a horrifying tragedy.

with a quiet sigh, she finally draws enough away from him to reach up and idly rub at her cheek. she hasn't cried yet, but... her eyes sting. ]

Thanks. [ she takes in a deep breath. ] That was a lot more exhausting than I thought it would be...

Not a problem. [He smiles softly and pushes some of her hair back for her.] It is. Even if he wasn't...in the right place to talk to you, it was still a lot of information...and hard to see him in that state.

Feel up to walking a little more? There is a tea house that serves cakes near by. Food will be good for you.

[ her eyes light up at the mention of cakes. real food? don't mind if she does. it's been too long since she's gotten the chance to pamper herself, and she wants to indulge in the selfishness of it for a little bit, if he'll let her. ]

Cake and tea sounds amazing. Lead the way.

re: the finale (possible spoilers in the comments)

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