[ once he's caught his breath and can see past the red hot blaze of pain, he sits up and carefully lifts shirt. there's blood on the bandages where they cover the burn mark. ]

You've been through things, and I'm sorry you had to go through them. I get it, why you did the things you did. But I've been through things, too.

[ he drops the hem, sagging back against the couch. ]

I'm Fire Lord. I fought Azula in an Agni Kai for the crown. She tried to attack Katara in the middle of the battle. I wasn't fast enough, I didn't get there in time to bend her lightning back at her. I almost died. Or maybe I didn't. Katara brought Aang back from death, maybe she did the same for me. I don't know.