Chapter Text
Zuko
I don’t know how long I’ve been awake.
I don’t know if I fell asleep in the first place.
Katara, Aang, and Sokka are, asleep.
The mattress is a mess. Sokka almost falls; he is snoring. Aang isn’t much different, his arms are hanging at the edge. Katara is breathing through her mouth.
This is the first time I’ve shared a bed (platonically) with anyone.
I pass a hand over Katara’s hair, tuck Aang’s arms under the sheets and practically roll Sokka up. Guess I’m our group’s light sleeper.
Well, I’m awake enough by now.
I know which one is Katara’s room, and the one next to hers looks meant for me. If for anything, because the walls are red. I head into the washroom but my reflection looks back at me when I open the door.
Agni, I hate this.
My fist crashes and splits the crystal. I hate being naïve!
This place reminds me too much of the Fire Palace and that, more than anything, annoys me! This whole thing feels like it’s mocking me. Even if I break every mirror I find, I can’t escape it… this! My face. My scar. Who I am. Even my future.
Are all so-called mentors like this or am I just unlucky? Probably the latter.
I was always meant to be a scapegoat; I am an outcast.
I’m tired of this.
I almost didn’t remember that I was carrying my dagger in my belt. But I pull it out and cut a chunk of my hair.