The Air Nomads were weak, they deserved to die, and they were in the way.
All his life he'd heard nothing but variations on this "truth". Only his uncle ever had a kind word to say about them, only he refused to believe they were the enemy. But Zuko knew better now.
Almost, anyway. He knew they weren't the enemy, but that only made him wonder just who they were. He knocked on the door to Aang's room, pushing a hand through his hair.
"Oh, hey Zuko," Aang said as he opened the door. "What's up?"
"I just realized, you know so much about my culture, but I know nothing about yours," Zuko said. A bit of guilt still pricked at him for what he'd said a few nights ago, but he brushed it aside. Feeling sorry for himself just created problems and those days were long past him. "All I know is that the Air Nomads were gentle and said revenge was wrong."
"They were," Aang said. "They believed all life was sacred, even the most insignificant ones."
"So that's why you saved me back at the North," Zuko laughed. Aang smiled, leading him over to the bed.
"Well, that and if I hadn't you would be dead and I wouldn't have a Firebending teacher."
"Very funny." Zuko sat down, slinging an arm around him. They then laid down on their backs in a head-to-feet position, and Aang began his "lessons".
The Air Nomads were strong, they deserved better than to die, and without them I'd never have met you, Aang.