Chapter Text
Being struck by lightning is not fun, was the first thing Zuko thought when he woke up after god knows how long. He wasn’t conscious for much longer after the fight with Azula ended. The last thing he remembered were Katara's panicked shouts and Azula's pained sobs. He didn’t know if he was out for only a day or longer. He forced his eyes open, squinting at the light shining in from a window nearby and accessed the room he was in.
It was a palace infirmary, he shifted to sit up, mindful of the wound on his stomach. It hurt, but it wasn’t the first time a family member left a permanent mark on him. While in the process of sitting up he felt a weight on his legs, looking down he saw Momo, asleep in his lap. He smiled, Everyone was ok, Aang did it, he reached his hand out and softly pet the lemur's warm fur. Momo stirred, leaning into the warm hand petting his head, before suddenly shooting up and darting out of the room. Zuko chuckled, before looking out the window, seeing the caldera. It was calm, before he heard people coming down the hall and the door to the infirmary burst open.
“You’re awake!” Katara exclaimed, before coming over to check on his bandages. “How long was I out?” he questioned. “Two days, not too long,” came Sokkas voice from his left, “You gave us a little scare there man,” the Water Tribe boy said, nudging Zuko's shoulder with his. Zuko laughed softly, “Sorry for worrying you- Ow!” You should be, came Toph’s voice to his left. Zuko sighed, rubbing the shoulder the girl just punched. “Hey, he’s still injured,” Katara admonished with a small smile. He saw Aang standing at the end of his bed, sobering a bit, “What happened?” Zuko asked, Aang was still for a moment, “I took his bending away.” It took a moment for Zuko to register what Aang just said, “Wait, I’m sorry, did you just say you took his bending away?” Zuko asked, incredulously. Aang nodded, “A lion turtle taught me.” Zuko stared at him for a moment before shrugging, he heard weirder. “Is he in prison?” Aang nodded before Sokka pitched in, “Chit Sang made sure the guards were only people he trusted, Iroh was a second opinion.” Zuko was shocked “Wait, hold on, Chit Sang is here?”. Sokka paused, “Oh yea he arrived yesterday, he's been standing guard outside the door.” Zuko was staring at the door before it opened, “Hello my prince.” Chit Sang smiled at him. Sokka hopped off the right side of the bed he was perched on to make room. Zuko, uncaring of his injuries lunged towards the guard to give him a hug the minute he was close enough to do so. He heard Chit Sang chuckle before gently hugging him back. “Hakoda is here as well, somewhere,” the guard said once he pulled away, “I think he's with Iroh,” Katara said, “I’ll go let your uncle know you’re awake.”
“They’re not the only ones here,” Chit Sang said with a grin, before whistling towards the open window. Zuko looked towards the window confused for a moment before a blur of feathers and squaks made its way to his bed. “Lychee!” Zuko exclaimed, holding his arm for the bird that gladly took the opportunity to perch herself on him. “Her wing got hurt during the airtemple attack so she couldn't fly to join you but she’s all healed now. She was with the rest of us while you guys were, well, wherever you were.” Chit Sang explained, Zuko looked over at him, “Thank you for keeping her safe.” The guard smiled, “It was nothing,” he paused, eyes hardening a bit, “I’m still going to kick your ass for the stunt you pulled.” Everyone around him laughed at that.
The door opened, and a shout of “Nephew!” was the only warning Zuko got before he was being hugged again, this time by his uncle. He sighed into the hug, burying his face into his shoulder, similar to how he did so in his tent. Once Iroh pulled away he was able to see Hakoda talking to Katara and Sokka and smiled.
Scratching Lychee's neck he realized he was happy, truly happy, he doesn’t remember ever being genuinely happy. Looking towards his uncle, seeing his warm eyes and warmer smile he realized something.
That Family he's yearned for his whole life was right in front of him, and he was never letting them go.