Zuko sucked in a deep breath and let it out forcefully, lifting his head from his hands, but not turning to look at her. He could barely see her when he glanced to the side through his own curtain of hair, finding it a bit ironic that he'd been letting his hair grow out. Fire Lords were expected have long hair, yet he'd never be one. It wasn't that he wanted to - in fact, at the moment it was quite the opposite - it was the curious part of him wondering if he'd ever truly been Ozai's heir. If he hadn't messed up that day, if he hadn't spoke out of turn during that meeting...would Ozai had kept him or would he have found another excuse to shove him away and make Azula heir apparent?
Was his life so horrible because he'd made bad choices or because Ozai had put him in bad situations?
"He would be cross with me for ressurrecting the Blue Spirit and going back on my promise to never wear the mask again; for trying to lead a double life once more, for hiding part of myself behind a mask. A part of myself that uncle feels should be out in the open, standing in the sun, not cast into the background, hiding in the shadows."
Yes, uncle would say something like that. It didn't mean Zuko was going to listen, though. He'd try to, but something always came along to make him go back on his word.