( it's got to be worse for zuko than it is for him. firebending as a concept is so wrapped up in the royal family of the fire nation, to lose that... it's bound to be a significant part of zuko's identity. mako's brow crinkles, and he nods to zuko as he mimes a firebending punch.

even just seeing that one small move is so fascinating to him. mako never really had a teacher, a lot of his bending was either self-taught or learned from scrolls in libraries, gleaned from sneaking into the pro-bending arena to watch the way other firebenders moved. he's actually never been exposed to traditional firebending forms. zuko's is clean and sharp, the power inherent in the blow obvious. it's nothing like the style he uses. korra has always compared him more to a waterbender in how he chooses to utilize fire. but this is... firebending in one of its purest, original forms, done by one of the most powerful masters of his time.

mako tilts his head. )

Yeah. At least I'm already... decently familiar with earthbending. My brother, he's an earthbender.

( but he does glance upwards to the sky. the sun is a dead thing on his skin, doubtless zuko feels the same. mako's been over this a dozen times with himself, he has no real need to discuss his feelings on the matter. but zuko hasn't really had anyone to sympathize, so — )

But I won't say it isn't like losing a sense.