[ zuko stares at her, as if unimpressed by her teasing. he likes it, even though he doesn't laugh like toph would, doesn't become offended and argumentative like sokka, or as embarrassed as katara. he's zuko; he's not so used to being on the end of a tease unless it's uncle saying something dense and profound about tea or food or something. ]

[ he isn't unimpressed for the sake of not being able to take a joke. he isn't so sure if he's reading into it, but he takes it seriously — what she doesn't say. ]

[ so casually, he talks. ] My friend, Aang, made me his firebending teacher. He was born an airbender, and grew up with the Air Nomads, which means he didn't know earthbending, firebending, or waterbending. He was the Avatar. He could bend all four elements, but he had to learn. [ as amazing as being the avatar sounds, it's tiring and demanding, not only for the sole fact the avatar is a saviour, but for the reason of being expected to master each element and hold little to no flaws in it. ]

[ there's a slight quirk to his lips, but he doesn't outright smile. there's fondness in his voice, though. ] He had Toph and Katara, and they were really good. Toph is really tough, just like her name, and Katara's thorough and a good teacher. But out of all the people he chose to teach him firebending, especially when he could've chosen my uncle who's the Dragon of the West, he chose me.

I've only had a few people believe in me. [ zuko shrugs. ] You're one of them.