Silly thought, but what if Lieutenant Jee ended up accidentally being the surrogate father figure to Zuko rather than Iroh?
Like Iroh may stay as his teacher and have the same role as in canon. But what if Jee somehow connected with Zuko during Book one so much, that he came along for the rest of the books? Or recurrently kept stumbling onto each other whilst Zuko's crew passed through other commands in the events of the show?
Also, what would their relationship be like? Would Iroh be okay with this or feel a special type of jealousy/resentment towards not having a paternal bond with Zuko after those three years of exile, when suddenly Jee is the one to achieve it? What would Jee be able to aid Zuko with? What would be his shortcomings? What would Jee do better than Iroh? Would they have feud with each other?
I also wonder what other opinions on the matter would Azula/Ozai have with this lol.
I am so sorry, I only now saw this ask. It never sent me a notification.
Zuko and his dads, huh?
•Ramble, possible rewrite structure:
Considering Jee was the most openly frustrated with Zuko's arrogance and temper, I think that exasperation would remain constant. He'd have more sympathy for the boy but he'd make it clear when he's annoyed.
If you wanted to have Jee connect with Zuko, I'd have it be after [S1EP12 The Storm]. After the crew learns the details behind Zuko's scar and banishment.
Jee seems like a childfree, single man. I don't think he has any experience with kids. But he's most likely had experience with wounded and emotionally volatile soldiers. He'd try to use whatever techniques he'd used for those soldiers on Zuko.
He'd try to strike up a conversation when he notices Zuko's looking more glum than usual. Just imagine how perplexed Zuko would be, likely demanding Jee busy himself with chores.
He'd offer Zuko liquor during dinner, only to remember Zuko's age and apologize, his posture stiff under Iroh's disapproving gaze.
He'd give Zuko praise when Zuko does something smart or generous, however small.
But I think they'd both find their footing in firebending training. They can be seen doing it in [S1EP9 The Waterbending Scroll]. I think he'd be less strict than Iroh, but he'd still make sure Zuko sticks to the basics.
And we all know how much that annoys Zuko. So... imagine Jee offering to teach Zuko some more advanced techniques. He doesn't undermine Zuko. If anything, he's smiling whenever Zuko got the hang of it. The prince would start looking forward to training with Jee.
Jee might start feeling comfortable enough to make playful remarks or hold a conversation whilst they train. Zuko would complain at first but he'd get used to it.
Maybe he learns a few things about the lieutenant that fosters a sense of familiarity. Maybe they share interest in an art form (like theater), or Jee vaguely seemed to allude to having father issues as well.
Every time Zuko catches himself feeling... safe around Jee, he'd force his emotional walls back up and focus on hunting the Avatar.
Iroh might take notice but he gets along with Jee, and is relieved that Zuko is as well. He might feel frustrated seeing Zuko show Jee more respect, especially when it came to training. Since, at least in Iroh's mind, he was giving Zuko everything he could, and Zuko rejects it. (In my personal, anti opinion, Iroh does the bare minimum.)
This dynamic would continue until [S1EP18 The Waterbending Master] when Admiral Zhao comes to take the crew to aid him in the siege of the Northern Water Tribe.
While the rest of the crew is either fed up with Zuko, or joining out of fear of what'd happen if they don't, Jee would refuse.
Zhao would not be fond of this defiance. He'd demand a reason. Jee would tell him he's retired, and that his duty is to serve the prince. Zhao might protest a little but ultimately he'd leave Jee with Iroh and Zuko, deciding he'd still ensure that the prince doesn't find the Avatar before he does.
When Iroh goes on a walk, I think I'd have Jee be up in the cockpit, making sure everything's still in order. He'd be so preoccupied with checking the gears and maps he wouldn't notice the pirates.
Zuko would still hear something and leave his room to investigate. He still goes up the cockpit, where he asks Jee if he noticed anything odd. "Odd how?" The lieutenant would ask. They'd both notice the iguana-parrot and the explosion still happens.
Originally, Zuko had created a shield with his own flames to prevent the explosion from harming him. Here, I think Jee would be the one to minimize damage. Both Zuko and he would go undercover as Iroh fools Zhao.
When Zuko sets out to capture Aang, I think Iroh would ask Jee to follow his nephew in secret. Jee would lose track of Zuko and he'd be panicked.
By the time he finds Zuko, the whole Koizilla thing was happening. He sees Zuko dueling Zhao and might shout a word of encouragement or a reminder of firebending forms. When Koizilla grabs Zhao, Jee would try to pull Zuko back, pausing only when he noticed Zuko trying to save Zhao.
He'd be confused but proud of Zuko's code of honor. After this, he and Iroh would bicker about parenting styles whenever Zuko wasn't listening.
Jee would be present most of the time, minus Zuko Alone, Zuko's blue spirit endeavors, and after the betrayal in [S2EP20 The Crossroads of Destiny].
I think Jee would enjoy playing the lute(?) at the teashop. Unlike Iroh, he might feel more awkward being surrounded by Earth Kingdom civilians. They almost blow their cover because of his nervousness.
He'd be imprisoned, as Iroh was, but in a seperate cell. There, they'd reflect upon their journeys. Jee might inquire about the guards's shifts, trying to figure out when the best window for escape would be. As soon as he is able, he'd melt through the bars and try to free himself.
He'd be stopped and, being seen as too dangerous for the captial prison, gets sent off to the Boiling Rock. When Sokka and Zuko go there, they'd encounter Jee. Zuko would insist on bringing him along.
Jee would be immensely proud of Zuko's accomplishments. By this point in the story, Jee is neutral. He's not quite on team Avatar's side yet because it contradicts everything he was raised with. Zuko's faith in it all would be the deciding factor.
They'd most likely seperate again in [S3EP16 The Southern Raiders] after Azula's attack. He'd run off with Hakoda, Chit Sang, Haru, Teo and The Duke to who knows where. I imagine he'd help them lay low but worry sick over Zuko. So much so Hakoda has to tell him he's seen how capable Team Avatar is to reassure him.
Zuko doesn't speak of Jee as much as he does about Iroh. It feels odd to him to speak of a lieutenant like that. If asked about Jee by one of the Gaang members, he'd fondly tell them about their firebending training, all the times Jee put up with him, Jee's music skills, ect.
I don't think Jee would be relevant again until after Sozin's Comet, where, unlike Iroh for some fucking reason, he'd be present for Zuko's coronation. He might even be a little teary eyed.
I think Zuko would be mostly the same if Jee was thrown into the mix, but he might lash out less.
•What would Azula and Ozai think?
Azula would think her brother Zuzu is an insecure attention whore. And Ozai would find the breach of protocol disgraceful.
•What would Jee be able to aid Zuko with?
Firebending, emotional regulation and vulnerability, learning social skills and cues, and practical stuff like tying knots and using the sky to navigate.
•What would be his shortcomings?
Even though he wouldn't confuse Zuko with proverbs and riddles like Iroh does, he'd still confuse Zuko.
Jee was never taught how to comfort, and it shows. He'd come off as too stoic one moment, then too forward the next.
He'd learn the hard way Zuko hates receiving hugs (gets yelled at.)
He'd struggle more with being a moral compass. His morality extends to his own men (FN), with little regard for everyone else. He'd be proud when Zuko does right but wouldn't actively encourage it.
•What would Jee do better than Iroh?
He'd be more successful in helping Zuko both remember the firebending basics, and to teach him advanced moves.
He might be more successful in getting the prince to have fun. Perhaps through their shared interests (like I suggested, theater.)
I think he'd make Zuko feel safer in silence. Zuko isn't as tense and brooding around Jee. Zuko might even awkwardly say something, like commenting on the weather, just to see if Jee is present.
And I think Jee would, though not necessarily consciously, help Zuko reconize his self worth. Whenever Zuko suggests low self worth, Jee would firmly shut the idea down, reaffirming Zuko's positive attributes. He does it out of frustration but also out of paternal care.
•Would they have feud with each other?
Only when Zuko isn't present. They always got along but if Zuko came between them, there'd be tension
Iroh wants to mold Zuko to his image.
Jee wants to see Zuko become his own person.
Iroh wants to settle down.
Jee wants to stay active, despite being retired.
Iroh wants to teach Zuko life lessons.
Jee does it without realizing it.
Iroh wants Zuko to fight Azula.
Jee is curious about the siblings and doesn't mind hearing what Zuko has to say about her. He'd call Zuko out if he's being unfair or disrespectful to not just the princess, but his own blood.
You get the idea.
Iroh might tell Jee he's "setting Zuko up on the wrong path" disapprovingly. Jee would argue, "Like yours is any better? You'll make him wander lost."
They might argue in front of Zuko around [S2EP9 Bitter Work], about a disagreement in philosophy and bending. Zuko would watch the two men with utter confusion. As far as he's aware, they were always buddy-buddy.
This would be after Iroh refused to shoot lightning at Zuko. So, while the men argue, Zuko wanders off and waits for the storm so he can try redirecting lightning.
Another time I think they'd argue in front of Zuko, would be [S2EP17 Lake Laogai] when they find Zuko, dressed as the Blue Spirit, having tried to capture Appa.
Jee would be silent with disappointment at first. But when Iroh yells at Zuko, calling out how Zuko never thinks things through and such, Jee would try to shut him down. "Quiet. Those earthbending agents could hear you." And then, he'd challenge Iroh, "You went along with all his plans. I thought you of all people would think them through; you were a general for crying out loud."
Zuko would tell them both to stay quiet while he tries planning his next move. Iroh still says the "Who are you and what do you want?" line, but when it cuts to a birds eye view of Appa, Zuko and Iroh, I'd have it show Jee walking over to Zuko, implying he'd gone to comfort Zuko.
Damn, now I'm obsessing over another minor character.
So anyway, this artwork sums it up pretty well.
