In and out. That’s all the mission was supposed to be. But here Zuko is, in a dark cave, coughing out freezing cold water out of his lungs. He was supposed to get the Avatar and come rigjt back, that’s what he’d promised you and his uncle, general Iroh. Obviously, you being Zuko’s guard(and secretly his best friend), you insisted to come with, but Zuko refused. He said it’s because he’ll be hatder to spot if he’s alone, but in reality, he just didn’t want to risk you getting hurt.

But now look at him, heaving and coughing his lungs out. Agni it burns… He just has to breathe, keep his inner fire going, he has to bend to keep warm. But he can’t, he feels so weak, like his inner fire is fading out. It’s so cold… his eyelids feel heavy. He’s dying, isn’t he? But did he ever really have a life worth living anyway? Would it matter if he just gave up? Gave up on breathing and keeping warm, closed his eyes. His father surely wouldn’t care… Azula would get over it, and his mother is missing, most likely dead. Sure, there’s his uncle, and you, but he can’t bring himself to care right now, he’s too tired.

Just as the boy lets his eyes droop closed, he hears footsteps, rushed footsteps. Maybe the northern water tribe soldiers finally found him. It’s fine, he’s dying anyway. Though Zuko’s eyes immediately snap open as he hears your familiar voice, frantic and panicking as you hurriedly kneel down next to him. He’s panting, heaving and whimpering. He’s tired, so tired, but maybe he can hold on for a moment longer.