Zuko knocked on his Uncle's door repeatedly, and got no answer even though he knew the old man was in there. Since he found out about his engagement to Azula, Iroh had been ignoring him as much as possible and would only respond to direct orders. Zuko was still surprised he helped him confront the Dai Li at all - that had been Azula's plan after all.

Even then, Iroh had not been able to look him in the eye.

He seemed to be doing the same thing he did after Ba Sing Se, when Zuko betrayed him. But this was completely different. He had not done anything wrong this time, and he wouldn't let his uncle ignore him. Not when he needed his support more than ever.

So, he slammed the door open and walked into the room anyways. He was getting tired of playing nice.

"Do you need something, nephew?"

"I need you to stop avoiding me. We need to talk. Really talk."

Iroh sighed "What for? You won't listen to me"

"If it's about or not I should be with her? No. I won't listen" he answered bluntly "But I still need you. You're one of the people I trust the most in world - you always have been. It's not fair that I lose you after everything we've been through just because of what I feel for Azula."

"You won't lose me. But you have lost your way, and so has she."

"And what is the right way for her to choose, uncle? To be alone? To spend her life suffering because of her past mistakes? To not have a family?"

"That's not what I'm saying, Zuko. Don't put words in my mouth."

"Then what are you saying?" it was hard for him to fight with Iroh, but he couldn't stand this anymore "I see the way you look at her, uncle. Like she's a problem that needs to be dealt with it and forgotten about. Mother used to think of her like that as well, and so did I. We both know who'll be the first person people will blame for anything that goes wrong for me. Everyone will instantly wonder if Azula planned it, if she still wants to hurt me. I knew you'd think she was manipulating me into being with her the second we got together. Everyone distrusts and looks down. Even her family. Even you. And I won't allow this anymore."

"Zuko, I never meant to-"

"I know you didn't. Neither I, nor did my mother. But it still happened. We saw my father turn her into his weapon, and we blamed her just as much as we blamed him. I know Azula is strong, and she's trying to pretend it doesn't bother her, but I can see she's hurting. She's been telling me for months that no one will ever fully trust her, that people will always fear her, and that is killing me."

"Give it time" his uncle grabbed his shoulders "If she really has changed, then let her show them that. Little by little, every day. That's the only way, Zuko. You can't force people into trusting her."

"I know" his tone became somber and he pulled away "But I can ask you to really try changing the way you think of her. The war is over, but you still look at her as an enemy."

"I had my problems with Azula" Iroh conceded "but that's in the past."

"Really?" Zuko scoffed "People will warm up to her if she has really changed, you say. I spent a year and a half telling you I believed she could heal and change for the better. You kept warning me about how hope can sometimes bring nothing but more pain. For the past six months she has made incredible progress, and I made sure to let you know in every letter I sent you. You kept warning me it could be a trick. And now that I'm telling you she's suffering, that she feels guilty over everything she did and doesn't feel she could ever be truly forgiven, you're saying it will all work out in the end if she did really change."

"I just want you to be careful" Iroh said, trying to justify his words and actions.

"You want me to stay away from her. You want me keep holding on to any grudge or doubt you think I could have, because you can't accept she's more than what Ozai tried to turn her into. You had faith in me even after I betrayed you, but you can't do the same for her" Zuko couldn't help sounding a little guilty "This family... the way we were all raised to distrust each other... it affects you more than you realize, uncle."

Zuko waited for Iroh to argue or defend himself again, but he never did. He simply listened, looking a bit... guilty? Ashamed? Zuko wasn't sure. He rarely saw his uncle in conflict and listening to advice - his advice. The young Fire Lord forced himself to go on, despite being afraid of hurting his uncle. He had done the same to his mother, and it ended up paying off, maybe it would have the same result this time.

"I know it wasn't your intention, but the truth is you were unfair to her. I'm not even sure you know her, and it looks like you don't want to know her. Your own niece" Iroh's face twitched "She never asked you to. She never asked you to forgive her and find it in you to care about her. But I am" he took a step towards him "I want you to truly give her a chance. And I need you to be there for her."

His uncle simply nodded, then offered him a kind, but sad look "But there's something else you want to ask of me, isn't there?"

"I want you to not try to separate me and Azula. Even if you can't understand it, I need you to believe me when I tell you that we have to be together. I just... I just can't be truly happy unless she's by my side."

Iroh looked like he was in pain listening to that, and for a second Zuko thought he would be berated for asking that of him, and kicked out of the room. Instead, his uncle took a deep breath and embraced him.

"I'll try" he sounded mortified, but those words were exactly what Zuko needed to hear.

He'll come around eventually. They all will.

Zuko hugged him back and thanked him, before allowing Iroh to rest and reflect on everything he had heard.

And went on to prepare for his night with his sister.