There was no love in their relationship, but there was always respect. The sight of his hunchbacked, drained and defeated brother stirred something in Ozai. No matter how long or how hard he looked into his eyes, he couldn't find a trace of the man who'd conquered the Earth Kingdom and rule the world. Instead in front of him stood a meek, subdued old man who's lost everything - his son, his inheritance, his father and his fighting spirit.
They didn't like each other, but they were still family,Ozai hoped his brother would find some form of inner peace.
No one may have died in that Agni Kai, but a life had ended. The life of the wide-eyed idealist has withered away, to be replaced by a self-loathing, confused young man. Iroh knew the pain Zuko felt did not come from the eye behind the bandages, but from within the heart. The loss of his home, his throne, his nation and his pride - everything turned to ash in a moment.
Despite this Iroh was an optimist. If he could do it, so can Zuko and he hoped to be there for his nephew, every step of the way.
A would-be Firelord, a firebending prodigy unmatched in her generation, conqueror of Ba Sing Se, slayer of the Avatar, princess of the Fire Nation. Nothing of that was left in her. She was an empty, lonely shell of herself crying in a corner, rubbing her shoulders to simulate a gentle touch. Mad Princess Azula, failure, monster…begging for comfort and compassion.
Zuko watched his sister from afar, the doctors said she's not ready, she difficult. He was not worried about her. Like uncle and himself, he hoped, she'd come out of it greater and stronger - it was a family tradition.