Author's Note:

This will be a Zutara drabble/oneshot series with appearances from the rest of the GAang and other characters. Some will be elaborations on events that have occurred in the story arc, some will be completely made up.

Prompts are welcome.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea. Story portrait is a screenshot.

And as always, reviews are appreciated!

Forgiveness

Zuko stared at the tent before him. The flaps remained closed but he knew what, or rather who, lay behind the cloth. Would his uncle forgive him? In fact, would he even talk to him? Look at him? His mind raced; each answer he came up with made the pit in his stomach sink further and each image of their reunion that he conjured made the accompanying butterflies flutter faster.

Zuko could feel his shoulders tensing, his fists clenching, his breathing becoming uneven. His uncle's forgiveness was one more step in his path to redemption. It had taken him time but he had finally, truly realized what the older General had been trying to tell him for so long.

He didn't know how but somehow he was kneeling on the ground. Even unconsciously, his body and mind knew that on his knees, begging for forgiveness, was the only way he could face the man who had been more of a father than Ozai. Ozai, in front of whom he had been in this position before. Ozai, who, rather than showing mercy, had burnt and banished him instead. At this point, Zuko almost didn't care if his uncle injured him, as long as he didn't cast him away.

"Are you okay?"

The voice cut through his dismal reflection. Of course, of all people, she had to be the one who sought him out, now of all times. He turned away from her. He knew if he looked at her and saw her understanding and concern... well, who knew what he would do. His thoughts were all over the place that thinking straight was impossible at the moment.

"No. I'm not okay. My uncle hates me, I know it." He placed his palm on the ground and clenched his fingers in the damp earth. From the corner of his good eye, he saw her kneel down next to him. "He loved me and supported me in every way he could and I still turned against him. How can I even face him?"

When did his voice become so hoarse? Zuko kept his gaze down on his hand, but he could feel her eyes on him. He didn't have to wait long for her response.

"Zuko, you're sorry for what you did, right?"

Zuko nodded, sitting a little straighter. "More sorry than I've been about anything in my entire life."

"Then he'll forgive you."

The conviction in her voice finally made Zuko look at her. He saw her raise her shoulders lightly as if to say her outcome was the most obvious one and he had to smother his smile; now was not a time for smiling. He looked once more towards the tent, the sight of it making him unsure again.

"He will?"

"He will."