Zuko awoke in the hospital with a searing pain in his skull. It wasn't like the scrolls he'd read, because he remembered every horrifying moment of the Agni Kai. He reached up to feel the bandages wrapped around his left eye and something clawed into Zuko's heart, hardening his kindness into an impenetrable rock.
His Uncle was sitting beside him, his face buried in the blanket beside Zuko and snoring abnoxiously loud. He pushed away the feeling of relief when he realized that he wasn't alone and focused on how foolish he'd been. He had disrespected everyone in that room and this was the price he had to pay.
Iroh murmured a little in his sleep and blinked himself awake. He looked at Zuko who was staring sightlessly at the twisted blankets around him. "Uncle?" He said quietly, "What's going to happen now?"
Iroh put a hand on Zuko's shoulder. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe being away from Ozai and Azula would keep him from becoming like the fire lords before him. "We'll leave. Go to the North for now."
Zuko nodded slowly. He was too afraid to ask about the burns. "Will you be there with me?" He asked so quiet that Iroh could barely hear him.
"I will always be there, Prince Zuko." He added so that the banished Prince would never forget where he came from.