Ba Sing Se Boarding High

Apologies

*Azula POV* (Just this once, Azula instead of Katara)

I walk to the adress Zuko gave me. I have to apologize. The best way to do that is, to tell the truth. Lies, deception and a mask of perfection are exhausting. Zuko told me to just not show up to the next meeting with Father. I didn't tell him that it's tomorrow. Tension grips me as I knock on the door.
"The shop is open. There is no need to knock," Uncle says.
"Hello, Uncle,"
"Azula? Did you need something?"
"I need to apologize. I-I talked to Zuko, and he helped me realize that Father is never going to give me love. And that I can never be myself with him. I'm terribly sorry that I said those horrible things about you. You're very wise to enjoy a life of acceptance and peace instead of one of hatred and tyranny. I hope you can forgive me,"
"Of course I forgive you Azula. You're a child. What you did was not your fault. Would you like to come in and talk?"
"Yes please," I say weakly. Uncle just forgave me that easily. If it had been Father, I would probably be dead right now. I can hold my own in a fight, but if Father and I had a duel, I wouldn't be able to move. 
"I realize that this will be a massive change, but I hope you don't mind,"
"I don't mind. I don't need perfection. I just need love and acceptance. I should've realized that sooner,"
"We all take time to learn things. I had to help Zuko similarly,"
"Zuko? But we are almost nothing alike,"
"You are more alike than you realize. You keep hinting at it. You told Ozai about Zuko to see if there would be any acceptance there,"
"Yes! I had no clue he would burn Zuko. I never would have said anything if I'd known,"
"I know you wouldn't have. We cannot change the past, however. Zuko has moved past it. He knows that it's not your fault. Ozai is completely responsible,"
"He knows that?"
"It took some time, but yes,"
"What about her? Do I have a right to be upset? I know why she left,"
"You do have a right. Ursa did what she had to to keep you and Zuko safe, but she should have realized how much it would hurt you to find out that she had started over and essentially forgotten about you,"
"Yes! It's not fair. I spent my life wondering what I'd done to make her leave and call me a monster and she was out here living her best life,"
"Zuko felt guilty too, but differently. He thought that if she had just let Ozai kill him that you could have lived a better life,"
"He did? I never should've told Father,"
"If you hadn't, you wouldn't be apologizing right now. Some things have to happen for other better things to happen,"
"Thank you Uncle," I pull him into a hug and cry. I can show weakness. I can be myself instead of a doll my father customized. I don't need to change myself for anyone. We stay like that for a long time. 

When we pull apart, I check the time. It's 6 in the evening. Crap. I have to move the rest of my stuff into the dorm.
"I have to go Uncle. I have a deadline to get my stuff into the dorm,"
"That's alright. Remember, my home is open to you,"
"Thank you, Uncle," I say and run to the school to get my stuff in the dorm. I look at it once it's there. I tear up anything that was me being fake. Best leader awards, graded report cards. Posters about how to be perfect. Every little thing I hated. I'm done with them. My identity is my own. I feel relieved. Now to start over. I have to apologize to Mai first. Luckily for me, she walks into the dorm right then.
"Did you lose your mind or something? You ripped up your posters," She says.
"They weren't really mine. Listen, Mai. I wanted to say I'm sorry for being so controlling,"
"Well, something good came out of it. You're my friend. I'll always support you," Tears come to my eyes.
"Thanks, Mai. It means a lot. There's something else I need to tell you. You know about Zuko and his party?"
"Yes,"
"Well, he's having it to celebrate that part of himself. I'm like that too,"
"Seriously Azula? Do you realize I was just venting that time? I get the feeling. He was a bit of my cover too. If he had told me, I wouldn't have been so mad. Ty Lee is too,"
"We have the world's most homophobic parents but we're all closeted gays. There's a bit of dark humour there," I say.
"Yeah. There is. I still don't get why you told your father. You should've known he'd do something horrible,"
"I know, I know. I just wanted to know. If I knew he was going to burn him on his FACE I wouldn't have said anything,"
"What if it had been his leg? Azula, your father is an abuser, but no one will ever arrest him because he's in charge of the country. I'm glad you got out,"
"Is it really abuse?"
"He hit you. He burned and banished Zuko. He emotionally and sexually abused your mother. Of course, it fucking is Azula. I'm not victim-blaming, but you should've noticed that. I thought you were smart,"
"I am smart! You weren't there Mai!"
"I'm sorry. You needed to get out. But what are you going to do?"
"Zuko suggested I just don't show up to tomorrow's meeting,"
"Mostly good on his part, but I have a better idea,"
"You do?"
"Help me write a note,"