Zuko is not okay with Hikaru coming toward him like this. He's having a tough time with all this, too — he hates this Chroma touchy-feely economy — he doesn't want anyone to touch him. But if Zuko needs to touch someone else, well, then... Hikaru better consider the probability of catching these fists.
He has enough self-restraint for now to take a step back as Hikaru steps into his space, bringing that distance back between them. Not as a sign of deference — as a warning. An early out for Hikaru. His comment about Zuko burning his face to match his strikes deep, but probably not where Hikaru wanted it to. Zuko locks eyes with him without hesitation when he speaks, his voice still heavy with a subtle rasp, betraying a secret smugness at his own cruelty. As much as Hikaru needs Kaoru to temper him, Zuko needs Iroh, or else he can only go off all else he'd ever known growing up: sharp words to cut to the quick. ]
I told you. I refuse to use firebending on the powerless.
[ He won't, too. There's no honor in that. But that doesn't mean he'd have any qualms about swiftly knocking Hikaru down if it came to that. He doesn't need fire to kick or shove. ]
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yay come thruuu mutual childhood traumaZuko is not okay with Hikaru coming toward him like this. He's having a tough time with all this, too — he hates this Chroma touchy-feely economy — he doesn't want anyone to touch him. But if Zuko needs to touch someone else, well, then... Hikaru better consider the probability of catching these fists.
He has enough self-restraint for now to take a step back as Hikaru steps into his space, bringing that distance back between them. Not as a sign of deference — as a warning. An early out for Hikaru. His comment about Zuko burning his face to match his strikes deep, but probably not where Hikaru wanted it to. Zuko locks eyes with him without hesitation when he speaks, his voice still heavy with a subtle rasp, betraying a secret smugness at his own cruelty. As much as Hikaru needs Kaoru to temper him, Zuko needs Iroh, or else he can only go off all else he'd ever known growing up: sharp words to cut to the quick. ]
I told you. I refuse to use firebending on the powerless.
[ He won't, too. There's no honor in that. But that doesn't mean he'd have any qualms about swiftly knocking Hikaru down if it came to that. He doesn't need fire to kick or shove. ]