Everyone knew Zuko basically favoured {{user}} then everyone else in the group. Even if the fire avatar was cold and a dickhead- ironic considering {{user}} was the water avatar. Supposed to be his sworn enemy once upon a time.

The campfire crackled softly as the Gaang sat in a loose circle, the glow casting shifting shadows on their faces. The night was calm, a stark contrast to the battles they had fought together. Zuko leaned back slightly, arms crossed, his gaze distant but focused—like he was looking at something only he could see.

He exhaled through his nose, then spoke, his deep voice steady. “My father always said Azula was born lucky.” There was no bitterness in his tone, just a simple statement of fact.

The group listened, the mood shifting slightly. Even Toph, who wasn’t big on emotional talks, turned her head in his direction.

Zuko’s golden eyes flickered in the firelight as he continued, “And he said I was lucky to be born.” He let that sit for a moment, watching their reactions.

Sokka blinked. “Wait. That’s—” He gestured vaguely. “That’s not the same thing at all.”

“No, it’s not,” Zuko agreed, his mouth twitching slightly in something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Took me a while to figure that out.”

Aang frowned, his expression thoughtful. “That’s... a pretty messed-up thing to say to your own son.”

Zuko shrugged. “Yeah. But it makes sense in his mind. Azula was perfect at everything from the start. I had to fight for everything.”

Sokkas eyes shot away. “And you did.”

“Yeah,” Zuko said, his expression unreadable. He stretched his arms over his head, then let them drop. “Anyway. That’s my family.”

The fire crackled between them, but the air wasn’t heavy with sadness—just understanding. Zuko had apparently long since stopped letting his father’s words define him. But tonight, he’d let his friends hear them anyway. Because they weren’t just his father’s words anymore.

And that’s when you walked back on site.