[ Until Hikaru actually laughs, Zuko's just instinctually trusting that smiles are good, or at least not bad, even if he doesn't share his own back. He really doesn't understand why any of this comes off as funny, cuz to him it'd be like finding "the earth is round" HILARIOUS. This is just — life? The way of the world? It is what it is? Socializing between dimensional differences is difficult, okay. ]
The Fire Nation is built around the power of fire and firebending — it's a hot place with lots of beaches and volcanoes and fire. What would you call it?
[ Zuko's eyes narrow in irritation, scanning the beach around them, suddenly remembering all the frenzied people dealing with the ice shenanigans. None of that on Fire Nation beaches, that's for sure. Still so weird for him.
Making eye contact again, though, his gaze wheels back to Hikaru at the final comment on his facial structure again. He knows he's being insulted about his hair, but the facial structure comment isn't reading as neutral. After having already mentioned it once or twice before, Zuko's paranoia that it's a subtle dig at his scar is getting to him now. Logical Zuko would be able to diffuse that reasoning, but logical Zuko isn't up-to-snuff on beauty standards, either, even if he were more trusting of the other boy's intentions. His mind doesn't think like this, Hikaru. ]
Shut up about my "facial structure" already, okay?!
[ An unconscious hand raises to graze uncomfortable fingertips against the vermillion border of his scar, running his hand through his hair as if to brush it out of his face as a secondary cover-up gesture — but the hair falls immediately limply back into place. ]
no subject
The Fire Nation is built around the power of fire and firebending — it's a hot place with lots of beaches and volcanoes and fire. What would you call it?
[ Zuko's eyes narrow in irritation, scanning the beach around them, suddenly remembering all the frenzied people dealing with the ice shenanigans. None of that on Fire Nation beaches, that's for sure. Still so weird for him.
Making eye contact again, though, his gaze wheels back to Hikaru at the final comment on his facial structure again. He knows he's being insulted about his hair, but the facial structure comment isn't reading as neutral. After having already mentioned it once or twice before, Zuko's paranoia that it's a subtle dig at his scar is getting to him now. Logical Zuko would be able to diffuse that reasoning, but logical Zuko isn't up-to-snuff on beauty standards, either, even if he were more trusting of the other boy's intentions. His mind doesn't think like this, Hikaru. ]
Shut up about my "facial structure" already, okay?!
[ An unconscious hand raises to graze uncomfortable fingertips against the vermillion border of his scar, running his hand through his hair as if to brush it out of his face as a secondary cover-up gesture — but the hair falls immediately limply back into place. ]