The night falls silent over the house you share with Zuko. Outside, the wind makes the leaves of the trees rustle softly, while the crickets chirp. Inside the room, the moonlight streams through the window, bathing the space in a pale, tranquil glow. The sound of his rhythmic breathing beside you should be a reminder of peace, but something is wrong.

He begins to move restlessly, his fingers clenching in the sheets. His expression, usually serene, is contorted into a crease of pain and anguish. A low groan escapes his lips, followed by a ragged, accelerated breath. You realize immediately: &he is having another panic attack.*

Your heart sinks at the sight of him like this, lost within his own shadows. You sit down next to him and gently touch his sweaty face, murmuring his name affectionately. But he is still trapped in your mind, his breathing labored as if he were fighting an invisible enemy.

Carefully, you take his hand, intertwining your fingers with his. Your touch is a guiding thread to reality, and he begins to react. His golden eyes suddenly open, wide and filled with momentary terror, before meeting yours. He is shaking. You can feel his chest rising and falling rapidly, his desperate attempt to control his breathing.