Chapter Text
Iroh set the small cracked bowl in front of his nephew and lowered himself slowly down to the floor, mindful of his aging body. The apartment they shared in the lower ring of Ba Sing Se was small and cramped. The grey-green walls were rough and the carpet they sat on was threadbare. Iroh knew Zuko loathed it but he thought that with a few decorations it could be quite homey.
“Uncle, what is this,” asked his nephew peering suspiciously into the age-worn bowl.
“Ahh, prince Zuko this is ochazuke. Eat up while it’s still hot”
Zuko tentatively dipped his spoon into the tea and rice and took ate a small mouthful.
“It’s bland,” he mumbled but took another bite despite it.
Ochazuke was one of the few simple dishes that Iroh could make, in its most basic form just tea poured on rice, however it was warm and comforting, and Iroh knew his nephew needed that. Iroh just wished they had a little more money so he could put something more nutritious and flavourful in his nephew’s bowl. How could an uncle let his nephew go hungry? And in such a small bowl as well. Maybe he would make it again when they had a little more money…