Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Move it Sparky! C’mon” Toph yelled tapping the prince on the back with her foot as he carried her around the temple.

“I’m trying! You’re heavier than you look, you know.” Zuko grumbled. “Aren’t you a prince? You should know better than to comment on a Lady’s weight!” Suki teased, giggling as Toph smirked.

“Yeah you’ll need to do an extra day of carrying me around to make up for that!” Toph yelled as Zuko only rolled his eyes at the girl’s antics.

Aang looked back with a smile as he heard the laughter of his friends. “Don’t worry Zuko. She’s just kidding.” He reassured as Zuko nodded.

“Hey! I’m blind not deaf!” Toph hollered making Zuko flinch away from the loud shout directly in his ear. “My bad.” The earth-bender mumbled apologetically, not that the fire-bender minded.

Katara sighed at her personal headache squad as she looked up to the sky. Based on where it was glaring at them from the sky they were behind schedule. “We are behind on time, it may be a good idea to start setting up camp at the nearest empty area.”

“Katara agreeing to rest early? Did I drink cactus juice again!?” Sokka exclaimed dramatically as he leaned back on Suki theatrically.

“Hey I agree to rest early once in a while. I’m not that mean!” Katara glared at her brother who only stretched his arms out towards her in emphasis.

“Huh guess we all are sharing hallucinations now. That’s a new one.” Aang smirked as Katara’s cheeks went from their rosy bronze to red in frustration with her group.

“I get it! We’ll rest at the next stop. The ONE time I try to be nice to you people.”

…

“Anything else after I get the fire going?” Zuko asked as he brushed his hand over the kindling, carefully setting the small bundle of dry foliage ablaze.

“Yeah! Aang you saw a butt ton of fire’s up the hill right? Toph asked as Aang jump/flew over “Sure did! Why?” Aang asked curiously as Toph simply pointed a finger to were the fire-bender was currently standing.”

“You! Take me up the hill.” Toph demanded with a grin, pre-emptively lifting her arms In the fire benders direction.

“Don’t ya think you’re abusing your ‘Zuko Piggy-backing privilege’ a little bit Toph? Give him a break.” Sokka said over his shoulder as Toph simply cackled in response. “You’re just jealous you don’t have someone to carry you around.” She accused as he simply shrugged in agreement.

Zuko rolled his shoulders as he bend down to pick up the earth bender as he stood with a light huff. “If you need us Aang earth-bend a pillar up so that I can see it and we’ll rush back.” Zuko instructed; Aang quickly replied with a “Yes Hotman” and a mock salute.

…

“We’re here.” Zuko announced, putting down the earth-bender into the lush green grass. “Fuck yeah!” She exclaimed before grabbing the fire Benders hand and yanking him down as he tumbled into the damp grass with a soft squelch. “Why’d do you do that?” The fire bender yelped confused as Toph just smiled, this time in a soft manner. “You were gonna stand there like some hover-bug. You can sit next to me you know.”

Zuko just stared in stunned silence. “Thank you, I appreciate it a lot.” He settled for as he shuffled slightly closer to the earth bender; Toph flopped her head onto his shoulder. He froze at the foreign touch but she was unmoving in her presence despite this as he slowly relaxed, his head tilting to softly rest on the earth benders messy black locks.

“It’s really nice here. You can just FEEL the life in the earth you know?” Toph said after a beat of silence, her hands reaching behind her and rooting themselves into the soil-bed.
Zuko followed her actions as his hand skimmed over, feeling all the slight texture differences between the wild unkept grass to the petal-filled dandelions, all very much alive. It brought a sense of peace to him in a way that not many things could.

“I think I know what you mean.” Zuko breathed out slowly, “I’m glad you asked to come here.” He confessed as he looked up to the twinkling stars above, completely missing the way Toph tenderly gazed up at him.

“Thanks for carrying me. Didn’t have to carry me all the way up through sparkles.” Zuko jumped slightly as she elbowed him in the ribs jokingly.
“I burned your feet, it’s only fair to atone for my mistake. I-“

“Blah blah blah. I’m prince broody even though I was already forgiven.” She cut him off as he looked to her wide-eyed, not that she’d notice.

“Okay okay, I get it. But I’m not doing it just because of that. I want to; it’s nice to spend time among friends.” The fire lord said as he looked to the sky once more, wondering if his uncle would be proud of him in this moment.

“You tell ANY of the others I will crush you inside a boulder. But I’m glad you’re here sparky.” She hummed as she plucked a particularly study dandelion from her side. “Well time to get back before Mum water-whip comes for our ass.” She huffed as Zuko put her on his back once more

“She definitely will if you use that language in front of her.” He mused as he began walking down the hill.

“Yeah but she can’t hear us yet so -…” She tilted her head back and breathed in deeply as she began to yell curse words all the way to the camp.

Katara looked at them, a lecture teetering on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it immediately when she saw them wave at her. Both with matching smiles and a matching dandelion in their hair.

Chapter Text

Zuko looked to the edge of the rock shelf they had settled on for a camp spot as Suki sat emptily gazing at the stars that dimly sparkled above. It was unlike the usually social warrior to be sat all alone instead of giggling along with whatever antics Sokka was upto or playfully teasing Toph about something new like she managed to every night.

‘she could just want to be alone. ‘His mind supplied but something ingrained with him, perhaps some empathy that had leeched of his uncle and infested him, just seemed to disagree with that logical possibility. The though was surely to bug him until he put it to bed s with a breath he went up to the other teenage boy at camp.

“Hey it might just be me, but do you think Suki is upset?” Zuko asked as Sokka’s hand went to his chin in thought for a moment. “I’m not sure I did try to steal a bit of her meat at dinner… But she wasn’t eating it anyways so why would she be upset!?” Sokka raised his hands in exacerbation. Zuko only nodded completely ignoring Sokkas affinity for the dramatics. “No worries, I’m going to talk to her.” He said more to psyche himself up than anything else.

It’s not that he had a particular issue talking to Suki, or any woman for that matter. Just he could’nt quite explain it but even after spending some time with the “gaang” as Sokka had dubbed them he still felt uneasy squirm into his bones, making his heart hammer as if one wrong move would spell his exile in the stars…

Still if they would spell it in the stars at least it would be remembered, unlike the fire benders who would spell his demise in scarlet…

As he approached Sui who still seemed to have not noticed his presence his mind raced through all the possible things that could be bothering the warrior.

“Hey, watching the stars?” He mentally cursed himself out for the lame and obvious question that left his lips but made an effort to not let his hesitancy show. “Yeah just thinking about things.” She quickly replied before turning her head back to the infinite balls of gas above.

“My uncle sometimes would look at the stars in thought too.” He said as the bittersweet memory of his uncle telling him about some drawings in the stars, making him smile sadly. “What are you thinking about?”

Suki sighed, almost as if hoping the stars would somehow have the answer to her troubles. “You all are so powerful, you all can bend and Sokka is one of the best strategists and leaders we could ask for. All I got going for me is a fan.” She confessed.

“Really?” Zuko asked incredulously making Suki whip to face him with surprised offence as Zuko quickly realized his mistake.

“Not like that! I just don’t believe someone as powerful as you would feel that way.” Zuko admits as she settles down at the comment.

“Easy for you to say, you’re the son of a royal with powerful bending.” She huffed almost as she didn’t quite believe the fire benders reaction to her feelings, Zuko shook himself out of his dumbfounded state for a moment as their recent enemies/unexpected allies came to mind.

“Remember the girls at the boiling rock? Tai Lee and Mai. They are both equally powerful soldiers trained by the best in the fire nation. Both powerful with their own fighting methods.” Zuko explained as Suki made an unreadable expression “I’d say so. They gave us a good fight.” She agreed as Zuko nodded

“Yeah but we wouldn’t have stood a chance at all if it wasn’t for your help in overpowering them.”

That caught Suki’s attention as her head snapped once more to look at the fire Bender.

“I mean it!” He explained as he took a breath and continued “You say you just ‘have a fan’ but your ability to train despite only having access to limited teaching, your resourcefulness and not to mention your loyalty. It’s a major reason were are all still here.” Zuko explained before jumping as he was unexpectedly encircled in a pair of arms.

“Thank you Zuko..” Suki said as she only hugged him tighter

“Huh!? I just said the truth…” He said confused as she just laughed into his chest.

His heart felt lighter with the sound.

Chapter Text

Aang closed his eyes as he focused on his breath as Zuko instructed, He imagined the heat of the sun radiating onto his skin; alongside images of red-cloaked warriors as he pushed his fist forward with a grunt, light shining outside his eyelids. He opened his eyes to the flames flickering out of existence as he looked to Zuko who nodded in approval.
“Very good, now again with your eyes open, you need to be able to see your target as you bend.” Zuko instructed. Aang was very hesitant to work under the fire bender at first, his strict nature intimidating the carefree avatar. But over the hours he had studied under him he had realized while he expected focus, he was fair and understanding despite their past with one another.

He let his developing muscle memory take over as he copied the form once more until he couldn’t help but notice the blur of blue cloth and tanned skin in the corner of his vision. The flames seemed to suffocate themselves into thin wisps of smoke. He looked to Zuko nervously to see his reaction but there was very little reaction to speak off.
“Aang can we speak away from the others for a moment?” Zuko asked his tone almost sounding nervous, and appeared almost anxious as Katara quickly stood from where she was watching.
“Jeez Katara! Sparky isn’t gonna hurt him chill!”

“I promise it’s nothing like that!” Zuko instantly swore, looking at Katara with wide eyes.

“He’s telling the truth.” Toph stated as everyone looked to her with looks of bewilderment. “I can feel lies remember? How do you guys always forget that!? Anyways Aang, Zuko shoo! I wanna see how many rocks Katara can dodge at once.” Toph then turned to the water bender with a mischievous grin as they ran off, Suki and Sokka quickly chasing after them leaving the duo alone.

“Just you seem to have some mental issue. Not that way! As in something that’s making it hard to fire bend… You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to but I might be able to help? Either way we need to find a way around it as soon as possible as you probably know.” Zuko rambled as he looked away awkwardly “Sorry, I’m not the best at these kinds of talks. Usually my uncle took care of this stuff.” He admitted with a nervous chuckle, not that Aang minded the fire benders obvious discomfort.

“You weren’t THAT bad. It’s just when I first tried this I hurt her... I’m scared I’ll get too confident or careless. Fire is a dangerous element. I don’t want to be someone she’s afraid of.” Aang admitted as he looked to his feet in shame at the memory of Kataras frightened yell that reverberated in his mind.

Zukos heart clenched in understanding; He put his hand softly on Aangs shoulder as he looked up to Zukos scarred face. “I get it, the fact you feel that way proves even more to me that you are ready to learn fire bending. You respect it’s capacity for danger. But it can also do other things too.”

“Huh like what?” Aang asked curiously as Zuko could only smile sadly. it was easy to forget after all his travelling and trails chasing the famed avatar; that in reality he wasn’t even a teenager yet. Just a boy with the world on his shoulders.

“Well you use fire to light torches, make tools, cook food. Maybe it would help if you imagined those things when scary images come to mind? Worth a try at least.” Zuko suggested with a shrug as Aang thought on the idea quickly smiling as he realized the thought of fire bending didn’t sound as daunting when he thought of their warm meals around the fireplace.

“I think it might just work! You really do take after you uncle in some things!” Aang said cheerfully as Zuko just blushed slightly at his high praises.

“Heh, I sure hope so.”

Chapter Text

“Man this road is boring!” Sokka whined as Momo who was hitching a ride on his shoulder nodded.

“I mean it’s peaceful, I like it when it’s peaceful for once!” Aang said with a wide smile. Zuko couldn’t help but smile along with the avatar, it did seem like these days all they did was fight so he had to agree a peaceful stroll felt very therapeutic.

Toph suddenly stomped making the earth vibrate menacingly under all their feet as their heads whipped to face the small earth bender. “Hold up! I sense people coming from THAT way. They seem like they’re creeping up to ambush us.” Toph whisper-shouted.

The group quickly shook out of their surprise as they reached for their weapons and got into a defensive stance.

“You just HAD to say something didn’t you!?” Katara accused to her brother who glared back at her in kind “Well how was I supposed to know we’d get ambushed!” Sokka lashed back at her.

“MOVE!” For a moment time froze for Zuko. All he could see Is the attacker in the air, blade raised and shining, prepared for a strike directly into Sokka’s exposed throat.
Before he knew it he was shoving Sokka to the side, barely feeling the blade dig into his arm and rake down to his hand as he bended fire to blind his attacker, allowing him to disarm the threat.

Time was lost to the struggle of the scuffle, ticking away to the clash of steel. But in the end the bandits ran back the way they came, this time bruised, wet and burnt.

“Uh guys I think I hurt my leg, OW!” Aang cried out breaking the silence. The group turned to him and were alarmed to see a large amount of blood flowing down most of his leg.
“Oh No, we need to stop the bleeding, Toph can you make a rock to sit on? We definitely are going to have to stop here for today at least with an injury like that. We need to stop the bleeding right away!” Katara worriedly went on as everyone went to help them tend to the injured air bender.

“I’ll go get water…” Zuko mumbled as he shifted from foot to foot, feeling kind of useless in this situation as Katara eyed him with clear distrust. He figured they would all feel safer If the fire bender that attacked them wasn’t near the now vulnerable avatar.

He was so focused on Kataras judgmental gaze he didn’t notice another pair of blue eyes staring at him with concern…

Zuko cursed when he was out of sight as he quickly glanced down to his arm, his sleeve stuck to his skin with the mix of wet and drying blood making it tacky.
Well all the more reason to make himself useful and get to water.

“Hey Zuko!” Sokka called out from behind him making him jump to face the direction of the voice, tucking his injured arm behind him instinctually.

“Sokka? Why aren’t ya with the others?” Zuko asked praying to everything that he didn’t come across as behaving suspiciously.

“Eh Katara had it handled, I was just getting in the way really. Plus I figured you could use some company from the famous Sokka.” The water tribe member said grinning, but as they walked that look gradually faded into one of confusion.

“Hey how come your holding your arm like that?” Sokka asked curiously as he tilted his body to try and look at the hidden arm, Zuko twisting away to keep it hidden.
“I just put my arm like that. Cut it out!” Zuko protested but it was no use against another trained warrior that wasn’t weighed down by pain.

He grabbed ahold of the arm making Zuko yelp in pain and try to pull away but Sokka’s grip was too strong as he peeled back the bloodied sleeve; there was the deep gash from the warriors blade but also many other shallower scratched all neatly ordered across his forearm.

Sokka was stunned enough for his grip to loosen as Zuko immediately wrenched his arm away, fighting the burning pain of tears trying to form under his eyelids.
“Tui and La… you really should have told Katara.”

“She can’t know Sokka.” Zuko said, pain watering in his voice.

“About which?” Sokka asked, all his natural cheer was drained from his voice, he sounded like a war-weathered man not a young teenage boy.

“Both. Please!” Zuko practically begged as his voice cracked with desperation. Sokka looked at Zuki with a look that almost looked like pity as he breathed in shakily.

“I’ll take a look at the main injury and clean it up once we get to the river. If we can stop the bleeding ourselves I won’t mention it. As for the other… If you feel the need for that come to me before you do.” Sokka said in a tone that was just too serious for the usually goofy man but Zuko nonetheless nodded shamefully.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” Zuko asked as Sokka gave him a look of mixed emotions he couldn’t quite place.

“Because I don’t think anyone ever has.”

Chapter Text

Zuko stood staring at the waterbender from a distance in thought. The tides swished gently in the distance as Katara fixated on them quietly.

He knew all to well the ire she was capable of bringing upon those she felt hurt by. She had the opportunity to kill the person that took the person she arguably loved more than anyone...

But she chose mercy, kindness.

If he was the arrogant teen he had been just months ago he would of mocked her. The fire bender way was to cleanse weakness with divine flame. Burning away all impurity in its ruthless path.

Oh the irony that a group of children; either blind or traumatized were the ones to open his ignorant eyes to his flaws.

“Hey bud.” Sokka said startling him slightly as he turned to him with a sympathetic smile. “Hey you doing ok?” Zuko asked as he nodded returning his soft expression.
“You should talk to her ya know.” Sokka suggested, tilting his head in the direction of his siter as Zuko’s unscarred eye widened in surprise at the advice.

“I don’t know if she’d want me to talk to her. Last time she opened up to me I betrayed her. I doubt she’d ever open her heart to me again.” Zuko brooded. “Plus I am definitely not family.”

Sokka only shook his head as he looked at Zuko with something soft in his eyes. “You’re right. That’s exactly why she needs you. Someone who understands without the bias of being family. Have some faith in yourself.” Sokka said almost surprised himself at the words, or perhaps it was the light blush that spread across the firebenders cheeks at the encouragement.

Zuko took a steady breath, looking back to nod once at Sokka as he approached where Katara was sat. Swilling some water in the air aimlessly.
“Hey, do you mind if I sit beside you?”

“Do what you want Zuko.” Katara said, her tone lacking bite, almost disturbingly so. #

Zuko did not take it personally as he sat beside her slowly; he soon found his own focus being lulled into the tides of the water below. Along with the way the dull glow of the moonlight sparkled on the inky black depths of the ocean.

They stayed that way for a while, just them side by side as the ocean waved at the pair smoothly. The silence despite the situation however was not tense, it was almost comforting in a sense.

“I don’t know if sparing him was strength or weakness.” Katara eventually spoke up, watching as her ball of water dispersed and splatted softly back into the endless void of water below.

“It was strength. Anyone can be a killer. Not everyone can be compassionate.” Zuko said as Katara looked at him almost as if he had a second head, but he wasn’t finished.
“I may not have met your mother, but if she’s anything like you and Sokka she was a fiery and compassionate woman. You honored her memory by doing the hardest thing. Showing kindness even when you had every excuse to be cruel.” Zuko found himself smiling as the words brought back fond memories of his own mother’s embrace, if he focused hard enough he could almost smell his uncles jasmine tea from a cup sat beside him that he’d never appreciate until it was too late.

“are those words of wisdom from your uncle?” Katara smiled softly. It was an expression the fire bender had not had the privilege of seeing directed towards him. But as he looked upon her face, that suddenly seemed more youthful, he was grateful to be honored with her hope.

“For once no. I only am speaking from my experience, and how you acted today despite your own experience shows me you are much stronger than I have ever been.” Zuko confessed. His interal pride screamed in protest but he didn’t regret it in the slightest as the waterbender wrapped an arm around him.

He stiffened at first, flinching away at the sudden contact as he eyed her warily, in an expression Katara thought looked almost scared. She had known the ‘banished prince’ the one that had hunted them relentlessly. The one that almost killed the Avatar and her best friend...

But as she looked at the way the fire bender slowly leaned into her arm. She couldn’t help but think she finally met Zuko

Chapter Text

“Okay I won’t be holding back. I want you to fight fire with fire. ONLY! You can try combining it with other bending styles once you’ve gotten the more advanced movements mastered.” Zuko explained making Aang roll his eyes in a slightly amused manner. “Yes hotman you’ve told me about five times already.” He chuckled

“Yeah get back to kicking his butt again Zuko!” Toph cheered in as she sat a safe distance from the pair that were quickly getting into their stances, silently sizing the other up and preparing their approach in their heads.

As the pair slowly got themselves ready they soon realized they had gathered an audience as everyone crowded the place in a loose crescent, anxious to see the friendly duel.
“Are you so sure Zuko will win Toph? Aang has been doing very well in practice recently.” Suki chimed In, Sokka scoffed before anyone else could speak. “Sure but have you SEEN Zuko when he’s truly focused on bending?” Sokkas eyes widened as he spoke, almost as if he was remembering every time he observed the fire bender perfecting his dangerous art.

“Well you certainly sound like you’ve seen him bending enough.” Suki giggled as Sokkas mouth gaped open like a fish out of water
“In more ways than one~” Toph added; a furiously blushing Sokka begin to rapidly babble nonsensical reasoning for his totally-not stalking of the fire bender. Katara all but slapped her hand over her brothers mouth.

“Enough of that Sokka. There starting!” The water bender pointed as the duo practically dived into each other, both their hands glowing with growing flames that tickled each other’s side as they barely missed each other.

Zuko naturally went on the offensive, hopping from one foot to the other to try and misdirect Aangs own blazing blasts as he drew closer. Aangs blasts did miss but he thankfully managed to predict the incoming uppercut from Zuko, jumping back in the nick on time.

The sparring quickly became more of a chase as Aang kept as much distance as possible while trying to blast his target ever-hell-bent on drawing them into a hand-to-fire combat.

Katara could only smirk as she saw Aangs expression quirk upwards into that joyful expression he always made when he had come up with a last-minute idea. He stopped moving as Zuko began to directly charging to his motionless mark.

“What the heck is he doing?!” Sokka whisper shouted, fixated on what was occurring in front of his eyes.

Less than seconds before Zuko would have reached him he sprang into the air, using his lithe form to get behind the firebender, tripping him in the process. Zuko twisted uselessly trying regain balance as he fell onto his back. Aang quickly turned fist bathed in flame as he went towards the grounded bender for the pin move…

At least he would have if the firebender didn’t scream in fear, They all knew that scream to well. The scream that one could only make when truly afraid for their life.
Duel rules abandoned Aang sprang into the air and away. “Zuko!” Suki screamed as she started running over to the young man.

“Father! Please I’m so sorry!” He screamed out causing Suki to practically freeze as she ran, skidding to a halt.

Zuko peered through the fingers that were shielding his face as he caught a glimpse of the eyes that gazed down on him in fear. Even those that accepted him, despite everything, now would surely only see the messed up failure he was inside.

He jumped up and sprinted away as fast as his shaking legs could carry him, any direction away from his shame.

“ZUKO!” Aang cried out as he began to run after the firebender, only to be stopped by a suddenly mounted wall of earth.

“Hold it Twinkle Toes. Now please explain to me WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO!?” Toph shouted now shaking the airbender by the shoulders.

“He didn’t do anything! All he did was duel with him.” Katara explained as Toph sighed and faced her addresser

“Yes I’m blind not stupid. Details. NOW.” She demanded as Katara quickly explained the duel they had all watched. The wall fell at some point as Toph’s anger went silent. All besides the quiver that was suddenly present in the ground all around them, as if waiting to snap.

“So you’re telling me Aang went to his face with a fist full of fire. A face that clearly has a MASSIVE burn scar on it, and you have NO IDEA WHY HE FREAKED THE FUCK OUT!” Toph yelled the earth around her feet erupting into a thin veil of spikes around her.

“Toph it was a duel. Zuko would know Aang wouldn’t actually burn him. So he’s got a scar from an accident or something. What’s that got to do with anything?” Sokka asked as he stood beside Aang as Toph took a deep breath

“Let me tell you again. Fire. Benders. Do. Not. Burn. Easily. A burn that bad is almost certainly from an attack of some kind. You say he knew he wouldn’t be harmed but his heart rate sure as hell didn’t suggest he knew; I mean look at his reaction for fuck’s sake!” Toph explained as everyone's eyes widened and the realization sunk deep into the pit of their souls.

“Tui and La… We got to find him, it’s not safe to leave him in that state alone.” Sokka decided, determination lighting his eyes.

“I swear I didn’t mean to remind him of something horrible! I just wanted to win the duel!” Aang’s voice cracked as he spoke making Sokka place a reassuring hand on the boy’s shoulder.
“We know Aang and none of us blame you. But Sokka is right we need to find him. Yesterday fast.” Katara Announced as they all nodded.

“I can feel his heartbeat usually, so if I’m not mistaking his heart for a giant Hummingrabbit then he’s that way!” Toph pointed as they all raced behind Tophs lead…

Chapter Text

“There!” Aang yelled out as he pointed to the crumpled ball of red robes against the temple wall. Zuko only cowered further into the ball he made with himself.

“Stay away!” A broken voice they barely recognized as Zuko’s cried out as a stream of shaky fire was shot in their general direction.

“How are we supposed to calm him down without getting torched!?” Sokka yelped in a mix of concern and panic as Katara gave him a stressed but unsure look. Their minds all collectively raced with unfeasible options to get close to the fire bender safely.

Thankfully they have someone in the group that uses action over thought.

They all were silenced by the crunching of rock as Toph erected the earth around herself into a shield-like formation as she slowly advanced towards the whimpering teenager.
“Zuko I know you can hear me, it’s just Toph; listen closely to me YOU.ARE.SAFE. So cool it with the fireballs Sparky.” Toph said with a clear and confident voice that actually managed to make the fire bender look up timidly his eye glazed and darting around like a stray animal as he gulped in shallow and painful breaths.

While Zuko’s fiery frenzy was focused on the protective walls Toph created the others took the chance to approach him from the side cautiously. “We shouldn’t get too close or touch him. I remember dad dealing with this with one of his men… Toph seems to be helping so follow her lead.” Sokka explained trying and hiding to fail his nervousness as the group nodded.

On the positive side Zuko’s eye finally focused on the earth bender as he gave a breathless pant of recognition that almost sounded like a sob.
Minutes that seemed to last an eternity passed as Zukos panting slowed into hiccupping sobs. Sokka found himself getting closer to the fire bender as ember eyes fearfully met ice blue. Sokka’s hand slowly fell onto the fire benders knee and to Sokkas surprise the fire bender quickly fell into his chest as he held him protectively.

Suki moved to hold the fire bender from behind, her hand rubbing his side in a pitiful attempt to console whatever horrors were raging in Zukos mind. Katara quickly joined her sibling and friend and the rest were swift to follow.

And if the ground was wet with several patches of tears by the end none of them were brave enough to bring it up…

…

“Zuko, I don’t mean to pry but what happened back there?” Katara asked with a softness that was sparsely used with the prince as he looked away awkwardly.

“You don’t have to say if you don’t want to. I just want to make sure it NEVER happens again.” Aang explained to him as he internally cursed, he made the kid feel guilty didn’t he?

“It wasn’t your fault. I didn’t think I’d react that way over just some fire near my face. Just maybe avoid that in the future?” Zuko said as he placed his hands on bouncing legs, clearly uncomfortable. Not uncomfortable enough however to stop Toph being as nosy as always.

“If it wasn’t twinkle toes’ fault then who’s was it? If it’s the person who gave ya the scar tell me so I can whoop their butt even harder!” Toph growled like a angry Badgermole as Zukos eyes widened.

“How did you know someone did it!?” He quickly asked then closed his eyes for a deep breath, the campfire moving in tandem with it as he sighed deeply. The fire moving back to its usual crackling

“Well I suppose I wouldn’t be surprised. Almost everyone knows the story of the banished prince.” He reasoned seemingly with himself as he hanged his head.

“I don’t know any stories about ya. Just recognized it was the size of a hand.” Toph said as everyone muttered similar sentiments.

Sokka sat by the fire bender and took one of his hands in his own as they locked eyes for the second time that day.

“I will admit I am curious but you don’t have to tell us anything you don’t want to.” Sokka reasoned his hand moving up to brush a thumb gently over his covered forearms. A silent promise of secrecy.

Zuko squeezed the tanned hand that rested in his own. “Well it all started with a meeting, they planned to use a squadron of new recruits as bait. They didn’t care if they died as it would make the battle an easy win for the fire nation.”

“Excuse me WHAT!” Suki cried out only calming down as Zuko harshly flinched away from the sudden yell.

“That’s Barbaric even for the fire nation.” Katara said clutching her necklace as a way to comfort herself at the sheer grimness of the plan.

“I agreed so I spoke out. I knew I’d likely fight an Agni Kai against the general but I was ready to prove myself…” Zuko sighed shakily but as Sokka rested his head against his shoulder, suddenly breathing became a little bit easier.

“I’m sorry what’s an Agni Kai?” Aang asked the others shrugged and looked to Zuko

“A Fire duel. First person to be burnt or die is the loser.” He explained quickly as everyone made expressions that ranged from fear to outright disgust.
“Wouldn’t royalty get like a pass from that?” Suki asked as Zuko could only shake his head.

“Far from it, turns out my protest to the plan wasn’t just insulting the general… It was insulting the fire lord himself…” Zuko said his tone breaking as tears spilled from tightly shut eyes silently.

“No…” Katara gasped as she quickly put the pieces together.

“I was only a kid. I begged him but he saw that as even worse than the protest. And then…. And then…” He hiccupped as he covered his scar protectively, squeezing Sokka’s hand unbearably tight. Not that Sokka could even feel it over the haze of anger he felt clouding him and them all.

“I’ve always believed violence isn’t the answer. But if anyone deserves it then it’s him.” Aang growled with surprising anger that made Katara move back a little in surprise.
“Ill be happy to give him all the violence he deserves.” Toph sniffled as her unseeing eyes glared into the now quivering flames.

“It’s not all bad though.” Zuko said quietly, as if he was afraid of receiving punishments for what he was about to say, which given this new information was understandable…

“I always had my uncle you know. And now I have you all.”

If their hearts weren’t hurting for Zuko before they all collectively shattered now.

Sokka Threw an arm around his shoulder protectively, but still allowing him to move away if he felt threatened. “You will never be left alone with that monster again. Not while I'm here to stop it.” Sokka swore.

“That makes two of us” Aang agreed

“Three” Suki chimed in

“Four, I’m sorry I’ve been so hard on you for so long…” Katara mumbled with shame “All forgiven” Zuko responded wetly.

“You bet your ass it’s five!” Toph cried out

“Toph language!” Katara cried out as Zuko could only laugh.

He was born in a palace and grew up in the fire nation. He had travelled through the iciest waters and inside the great walls of Ba Sing Se…

But maybe the home he was looking for wasn’t a place.

Cause despite being in a open and draft-filled temple when he looked to the people he was surrounded with… he had never felt more at home.