#tapecsa

His brow arched beneath his now shaggy bangs. "Uh huh. Right. Yeah. That is a shame." He nonchalantly began looking at other cooking supplies, feigning interest. Clearly she was lying. Which shouldn't have really been a big deal. His question was kind abrupt and perhaps he was prying too much. But really he didn't see the harm in it. He wondered if there was any way for him to get her to admit what she'd been dreaming.

"Ya know. I think I had a dream about you too. Did someone just call me? I should go make sure no one else needs help..." He turned slowly, hoping she might take the bait. Of course he wasn't prepared at all prepared for if she didn't bite. He'd have to just walk away, being left with the nagging knowledge that she dreamed of him.

Zuko could feel heat immediately rise to his cheeks and he quickly looks away bashfully. He knows only too well that she's right. It's rare for him to laugh. To feel true joy and to feel carefree. To feel truly safe enough to allow himself to feel these things at all. It felt like every time he had felt those things, he'd been punished for it.

Somewhere along the way, the walls around his heart had begun to slowly crumble. He stares downward, a hand nervously raking through unruly dark strands of hair.

"I-I know. Father stamped that down in me I guess. After everything that happened, I guess I forgot how to." It was hard to admit that he just hadn't been able to find enough to laugh about. Or anyone to laugh with. For years. He'd begun to hate the world and himself. When had he forgotten to hate it all?