Honor, Love, and Dragons (Zuko x OC)

The Awakening (Part Two)

Ivana had breakfast in her grandfather's room the next morning. She had woken up in the middle of the night and had been unable to go to bed. She and Tu Sung discussed different things she could do. The first was to go through Botan and Quin's things. 

"I don't know if I can," Ivana said softly, looking down at her cup of tea. Ru was a good brewer, but Iroh was much better. She hoped he was okay and they weren't treating him too badly. She knew it was out of her hands. 

"This is the best advice I can give you, Ina. You never had the chance to accept their deaths, and I think it's best to start there. You should go one at a time, maybe start with Quin's things," Tu Sung urged. He was worried for his granddaughter, and she wasn't taking his advice and had no ideas of her own. He tended to get blunt and tough when that was the case. 

"If you think it's best. I'll give it a try," she said with a small smile. She stood up, giving her grandfather a kiss on the forehead before walking down the hall to her brother's room. Everything was just as they left it. Two twin beds on either side of the room with a desk against each wall. She sat down at Quin's desk and got to work. 

~~~

Zuko took his palanquin to General Tu Sung's house, despite not really wanting to. He hadn't been there since before his banishment. He wanted to talk with Ivana about his family and this seemed the best way. He watched, feeling awkward as one of the men went to knock on the door. Ru answered, her eyes widening at the display. She nodded to the man before the palanquin was set in front of the door. Zuko stepped out and walked up to her. "Sorry for all this..." he mumbled. 

"It's alright, Prince Zuko. I'm actually very glad you're here. You might be just the right person to help her," she said. Her face was clouded with worry. 

"Ivana? What's wrong?" 

"She hasn't stopped crying. Tu Sung encouraged her to go through her brother's room, she started crying and hasn't stopped. About all I can do is keep her hydrated," Ru said, leading him upstairs.

"I don't know if I'm really-"

"Please, try. The last time she was like this..."

"Was when she was burned," Zuko finished, remembering the conversation he overheard between Ivana and Song. "I'll try." 

Ru opened the bedroom door. Ivana looked up, tears streaming down her face as she gasped for air. He had never seen her so broken.

"I'll get you another handkerchief, dear, and some water," Ru said, rushing back downstairs. Zuko stood awkwardly in the doorway. 

"Um, what do you need from me?" 

"J-J-Just sit," Ivana said before crying a bit harder than before. She struggled to control her breathing as he sat down on the bed. "W-w-why are you h-here?" 

"I wanted to talk to you, but it looks like you need to talk more," Zuko said carefully. 

"I-I don't want to talk!" Ivana shouted. "I-I've been t-trying to t-t-talk to Ru all afternoon!" She cried harder. Zuko looked at her, never having been in a more awkward situation. He stood abruptly. 

"I'm going to talk to your grandfather. Maybe he'll know what to do," Zuko said, rushing out of the room. He knocked on the door that he remembered was Tu Sung's. "General? It's me, Zuko." 

"Ru told me you were here. Is she still unconsolable?" Tu Sung said sadly from his bed. "I shouldn't have pushed her into something she wasn't ready for." 

"Ru said I might be able to help her. I just don't know how," Zuko said, taking a seat in the chair beside his bed and putting his head in his hands. "I've never seen her like this. I always thought she was so strong." 

"She is still very strong." Tu Sung wanted to snap at the boy for his comment. "She spent a very long time bottling her feelings to be there for the ones she loves. She isn't unlike her father. He never wanted to fight in this war, but he loved his younger brother and swore he'd be there to protect him. It got him killed," Tu Sung said bitterly. "However, there is still time to mend the damage to Ivana. She is in a lot of pain, and love is the only thing that will heal it." 

Zuko nodded before standing and bowing to Tu Sung. "Thank you. I think I know what to do." He went back to the bedroom and approached Ivana slowly. She was still sobbing. "Do you want me to hold you?" 

Ivana looked up at him for a minute. Her mind was so clouded by her grief she could barely process his question. All she knew was she wanted it to stop. Maybe he knew it would help. She nodded quickly. Zuko sat on the bed and scooted back to the wall. Ivana shifted into his side as he put an arm around her. She calmed down again before more thoughts caused her to sob again. He held her close, trying to keep her calm. 

Ru came back into the room with two cups of water and a few handkerchiefs. She left them on the bed and left, wanting to give them space. Zuko handed one cup to Ivana and she drank it quickly. He offered her the second cup, which had been intended for him. She looked up at him before taking it. 

"What did you want to talk to me about?" she said, gaining control for a brief moment. 

"Oh, um, Azula told my father that I killed the Avatar. I think it's because she thinks he's alive... or she thinks I think he's alive," Zuko said, running a hand through his hair. "I talked to her and she claimed she lied to help me win father's approval, but-"

"That sounds nothing like Azula," Ivana pointed out, getting her words out before another sob. He nodded, glad to get it off his chest. 

Zuko held her as she continued to sob for another fifteen minutes. She started to calm down, her breathing getting back to normal other than a few hiccups. Zuko relaxed, pulling her closer. He perked up when she let out a soft snore. Ivana had fallen asleep. 

(I'm not sure how much I like this chapter. I'm not sure if what happened is in character or realistic so please let me know what you think!)