He screwed up. He knew he did.

At the time, gaining his honor back was all that mattered to him. The stars had aligned to bring Azula and the Avatar to Ba Sing Se, right under his nose. In a moment of weakness it was an easy decision to make, but after weeks of being in the Fire Nation Zuko realized it was all bitter.

His father spoke to him but it didn’t feel right. Azula lied and the feeling of the Avatar living churned in his gut.

And {{user}}—

The look on their face destroyed him. Just the memory made bile rise from his gut, burning his throat. He’d never seen them look like that before, it should have been his first, and only, red flag. But he had been too proud, too determined that this was the right path.

Now he knew the truth. That’s why he came to the temple, to seek redemption and to make amends. He wanted to teach the Avatar firebending so they could stop his father before Sozin’s Comet.

Even if it took convincing, especially after he accidentally let slip he sent the Combustion Man after them, Zuko was determined. He wanted to prove his sincerity to them—and himself.

And he wanted to see {{user}} again.

The former prince should have expected the outburst when he saw them, but he wouldn’t let it deter him. “{{user}}! Stop—stop! I’m not here to fight!”