[ zuko hadn't wanted her to know, but now the truth is out. he wasn't born with this scar, his father gave it to him for talking out of turn and refusing to fight of all things. he didn't want her — any of them — to feel sorry for him, but as much as he tried to see his scar as a mark of honor for standing up to the most feared man in the world, there was still a lot of baggage and bad feelings attached to the way in which he received it.

he closes his eyes, leaning into her touch, much like he had done in ba sing se. there wasn't a lot of feeling left in that side of his face, and while he couldn't feel her fingers against the glossy, charred flesh, he could feel the pressure of her touch.

reaching up, he covers her hand with his own — not removing it, just letting his palm rest against the back of her hand. ]

My uncle was more a father to me than Ozai ever was.