The day after the comet's passing, the celebrations in Ba Sing Se were legendary. Iroh did not get to enjoy them. As soon as he saw Appa's shadow in the sky, he knew he would have to leave. It was both the shortest and longest journey he had ever experienced. He could now allow himself to enjoy the exhilaration of flying on the back of the sky bison. Even with the Avatar's assurances that Zuko was fine, a profound ache in his chest left him uneasy. He would not loose his second son.
He had not been present for Lu Ten's death. Iroh, being the general, was commanding his forces from the rear and Lu Ten had his own unit at the right flank. He hadn't known his son was dead for three whole days when the body was brought from the front lines to be transported back to the Fire Nation. If Zuko dies before he gets back to the Fire Nation, he will never forgive himself. He will have failed as a father for a second time.
Appa hadn't even landed when Iroh's feet touched the flagstones in the palace's courtyard. Iroh hasn't ran this fast since he first entered the army. He rounded the last corner to Zuko's bedroom, nearly knocking an antique vase to the floor in his haste.
He threw open the door and all the breath left his lungs; Zuko lay on his back in the large bed, his skin was pale against the dark sheets. In the light of the room, his scar seemed to swallow the side of his face. Iroh slowly moved towards his nephew's bedside and sunk onto the stool that had been left behind. Zuko's entire chest was encased in bandages, but that only made the chill run deeper into Iroh's bones. Lightning injuries were always complicated; electricity has a tendency to jump and arc between vital organs. If Zuko hadn't redirected any of Azula's strike, he would be laying on a funeral pyre.
"Uncle? What are you doing here?"
Iroh was shaken out of his dark thoughts by the question and blinked back the tears that threatened to spill onto his cheeks. "I heard you were wounded in your Agni Kai." The words were thick with emotion; he wondered how they escaped the lump in his throat. He couldn't help but see Lu Ten's lifeless body when he blinked.
Zuko's breath hitched as he struggled to sit up, but Iroh forced his hands to remain where they were. "I redirected most of the lightning, but I guess I didn't expect that… volume. How did Ba Sing Se go?"
Overcome with emotion, Iroh pulled Zuko into his arms in a crushing hug. "I was afraid that… that I had outlived another son."
The silence was thick as Zuko took in his meaning and tightened his arms around the old man. "I think… it will take much more than Azula to kill me, Uncle."
Iroh laughed and let go of Zuko, letting the young man breathe again. "I am so proud of you, Fire Lord Zuko."
"I…" Zuko started then bit his lip. "Would you mind making us some tea? We have a lot to talk about."
Iroh laughed and stood up. "Of course! I will be right back." Iroh felt much lighter as he stepped out of the room. Zuko was fine; will be fine. And he was proud of the boy who had become his son. It was more than the old soldier could ever ask for.