[ Every word rings true and it draws such an emotional expression over Zuko's face. Hearing someone else say these words is wild. ]
...You're right. I'm not even good at helping her. And— she needs to figure it out for herself. Like I did. I've always seen Azula as so capable, clever, perfect, and since being spirited away, I've realized... she's not. She can't work a normal job, won't make friends, can't clean or cook, resents this fall from grace far more than I do... But I don't want to shame her. She's also— a lot lonelier than I ever realized... I've come to learn so much about her, only to feel more and more distant from her. I— ...I can't keep shouldering that.
[ He leans forward and props himself up with his elbows on his knees, chin in his hands. ]
...She told me I put her in a mental asylum in the future. If that's true— ...I can't help her that much, me alone. I can't. I can't keep doing this with her. You're right. I can't help her as much as she needs. And it's hurting me to try. When I could be— putting that energy into growing closer to Aurora... enjoying myself.
[ It's a fair point. But still hard to connect the dots why exactly these are the scales he's using. At least he seems to be gaining some clarity, though. ]
If it's true. She's not exactly honest. [Hikaru has only talked to her once but even he had known she wasn't someone you could trust. That much had been obvious.]
But you shouldn't have to take care of her. Even as her brother, that's not your job. Take care of yourself and be happy with someone who can at least stand on their own two feet without blaming everything else for their problems. [Which is Aurora and Hikaru's just happy that Zuko seems to be understanding that he can be happier with Aurora, who he's been rooting for this entire time.]
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...You're right. I'm not even good at helping her. And— she needs to figure it out for herself. Like I did. I've always seen Azula as so capable, clever, perfect, and since being spirited away, I've realized... she's not. She can't work a normal job, won't make friends, can't clean or cook, resents this fall from grace far more than I do... But I don't want to shame her. She's also— a lot lonelier than I ever realized... I've come to learn so much about her, only to feel more and more distant from her. I— ...I can't keep shouldering that.
[ He leans forward and props himself up with his elbows on his knees, chin in his hands. ]
...She told me I put her in a mental asylum in the future. If that's true— ...I can't help her that much, me alone. I can't. I can't keep doing this with her. You're right. I can't help her as much as she needs. And it's hurting me to try. When I could be— putting that energy into growing closer to Aurora... enjoying myself.
[ It's a fair point. But still hard to connect the dots why exactly these are the scales he's using. At least he seems to be gaining some clarity, though. ]
no subject
But you shouldn't have to take care of her. Even as her brother, that's not your job. Take care of yourself and be happy with someone who can at least stand on their own two feet without blaming everything else for their problems. [Which is Aurora and Hikaru's just happy that Zuko seems to be understanding that he can be happier with Aurora, who he's been rooting for this entire time.]
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[ He takes a deep sigh, and straightens up at last, shooting Hikaru an indiscernible yet obviously meaningful look. ]
...Thanks, Hikaru.