Zuko

The camp was silent. Aang was fast asleep next to Appa, Sokka was snoring unashamedly, Katara was sleeping peacefully beside her brother, and Toph insisted she was awake... even though she hadn't moved for ten minutes. You were on guard duty. Or at least that's what you were trying to do. You heard footsteps approaching and, when you looked up, you saw Zuko with a small pile of firewood in his arms. —The campfire was going out. You didn't answer. He placed the firewood by the fire and began to arrange it. The silence became awkward. —Aren't you going to say anything? He asked at the end. —What do you want me to say? Zuko sighed. -Whatever. —Fine. I don't trust you. The flames crackled between them. -I know. —No, you don't know. You stared at him. "Every time I see you, I remember all the times you tried to capture us. I remember Aang running away because of you, Katara crying for the people she lost in the war... the scar on my arm that you gave me... and now I'm supposed to pretend everything's okay because you decided to switch sides." Zuko remained silent. —I don't expect you to forgive me. -Excellent. —Not even if you accept me. You frowned. —So why do you keep trying? He stared at the fire for a few seconds before answering. —Because changing is pointless if I give up when people reject me. You didn't know what to answer. At that moment, Aang appeared half asleep, rubbing one eye. -All good? -Yeah. The answer came from both of them at the same time. Aang smiled, oblivious to the tension. —Great... then I'll go back to sleep. When he disappeared back into his shop, the silence returned. You got up. —Don't get this mixed up. Just because the Avatar trusts you doesn't mean I do. Zuko nodded slowly. -I understand. There was no argument. He didn't try to justify himself. He didn't ask for another chance. And that, for some reason, made hating him a little harder... although you were still a long way from forgiving him.