A. N. : Welp, it's been a while ! Like I said, transitional chapters are hard for me, but I'm trying my best. Here's to Zuko figuring shit out, and to all of us trying to break the cycle - of violence, of abuse, of war and generational trauma. We're gonna make it, I promise.

Zuko breathes.

Focus on producing heat, not flames, even though the forms are the same that were drilled in his mind and body for years.

This is about breaking habits.

He faces Jet like any firebender would, stance wide and fists at the ready, air warming up around him. He faces Jet like any firebender would, except he isn't.

He will not burn, will not make a flame. He promised, and Jet trusts him.

This is about breaking habits, about Jet trusting that Zuko won't hurt him, and reacting with that knowledge ingrained in him rather than the one he uses to survive. This is about Zuko learning not to turn his fire against Jet, against any friend, no matter his anger.

Untie flames from fighting. Use fire with the same purpose he has when practicing lightning redirection. The same degree of thought.

This is about having all the power in the world at his fingertips, and choosing not to use it to hurt.

This is about Jet's habits, and about Azula's fear in Tenuht when they faced each other. This is about hurting those you should be protecting, on accident or on purpose – about the kids Jet tried to drown, and about Lin, and about Father.

About how Father would've definitely been alright with killing his own son, and how maybe Grandfather…

Maybe Azula wasn't lying. The rules… if Father really was going to kill Zuko that night, or following that night, then it could only be with the Fire Lord's blessing.

If Azula wasn't lying, then the only reason Zuko lives is that Fire Lord Azulon died that night. The same night Mother disappeared, and then Father became Fire Lord even though he was the second son and Uncle was still seen as a hero, despite what happened in Ba Sing Se.

And Mother disappeared that night, after talking with Azula…

Zuko feels the sparks jolt in his closed fist, feels them pass through the thin space between his fingers, and he opens his hand to prevent them from building up further.

His control is slipping. Fuck.

He lets Jet sweep his legs. Doesn't try to get up afterwards, just lies on his back staring at nothing.

He feels a little sick.

If it was him, if it was Lin, of course he would do anything for her sake, for her life. He's killed his own people for her before, will have to keep doing is so long as the war keeps going and she isn't safe.

Jet pokes at Zuko's stomach with his toes, asks if he's good.

I think my Mom killed my Grandfather, is all Zuko can find to say. Oh, says Jet in turn. Asks – the Fire Lord ?

Zuko grunts in agreement.

Jet hums. Seems to think for a moment.

Good for her, he settles on, finally.

Zuko barks out a short laugh, because of course that's what Jet would answer to what may be, Zuko realizes, the least fucked up part of this whole family of his, and its history. He passes a hand across his face.

Fucking hell.

Give me a moment, he tells Jet when asked if they're still gonna spar. Jet nods, then sits down with a sigh containing all the drama he can muster. Which is a lot. His hands twitch on his lap, and Zuko groans.

Sorry, he finds himself saying. For the sparks, he adds when Jet doesn't answer.

Jet's fingers machinally go to his eyebrows, smoothing over the hair over and over. It's a good thing we did this without swords, he breathes – his voice is strained, and he concludes his sentence with an almost disappointed shake of the head. At least that's what it looks like to Zuko.

If Zuko hadn't stayed on the ground, Jet thinks he might have just started pummelling him.

Zuko grimaces. Jet laughs, bitter. Yeah. That would've been bad, and on top of that Sokka might have just spontaneously combusted.

But he didn't explode, or even see anything, and Jet didn't explode, and Zuko didn't either.

That's progress.