#and really I think that’s just him & katara being mean bitchy besties together

[comradekatara]

So new to tumblr, legit made this for asks. In your Azula redemption timeline do you not think Zuko also needs to apologize to her? He's quite aggressive to her and views her as a rival rather than sister, not helped by her ofc. Just from what we see in the show there's no real reason for his raw hatred? Her journey seems very one sided without acknowledging that others harmed her as well.

wow, that’s dedication! and this is an interesting question.... I don’t think the idea that “there’s no real reason for his raw hatred” is necessarily true? like, you’re right in that he views her as a rival, but that’s because ozai deliberately pitted them against each other. azula’s survival hinged on zuko’s failure. he was the scapegoat to her perfect princess (literally), and he knew it.

of course he’s gonna resent her when he views her as an extension of ozai; she may not have been the one to burn his face, but she cheered on his burning all the same. of course, azula was also being abused, and zuko’s status as Loser Older Brother was necessary for her survival. but from zuko’s perspective, “you can’t treat me like zuko!” (an indubitably heartbreaking line) doesn’t mean all that much, does it, considering that, well, he’s zuko.

even if he gets over his resentment of azula, im not sure he would ever think he was wrong at the time for trying to take her down, since she was working as an agent of the fire nation, ranking second only to the firelord. of course, he was too for a very long time, so it’s not like he can’t empathize with why she was the way she was, also shaped by ozai’s abuse. but like..... does he owe her an apology for fighting fire with fire?? for not being a perfect, understanding brother to a sister who banked on his misfortune??

besides, a lot of their violence is typical sibling (especially in an abusive household) lashing out at each other magnified to the level of national conflict simply because of their positions within the state. even when they literally try to murder each other, siblings don’t really apologize for past transgressions. the best you can hope for is that they let it go and move on. take it from someone with brothers; they won’t apologize for hurting you, and they never will.

and what would an apology from him even look like? “sorry for being angry at you while you were trying to ruin my life and kill my friends.” “sorry for unintentionally giving you mommy issues because our mother preferred me more, not that it is my fault because I was a guileless child at the time.” “sorry for being suspicious of your intentions when you were shamelessly manipulating me.” yes he caused her harm, but only because he felt forced to, the same way she did him (again, the real culprit is ozai).

I’ve said before that iroh owes azula an apology, and I stand by that. he was an adult, and he should have recognized the way that his brother was abusing his children (before the events of the agni kai). he tries to rectify this egregious oversight with zuko, whom he recognizes as someone who can be set on the right path with the right guidance, but he deems azula beyond saving, which yeah, is pretty shitty of him considering that she’s basically a younger version of him (only she took ba sing se when she was 14 with only two friends lackeys for backup what’s good uncle?)

but zuko was also a kid, rightfully mistrustful and resentful of azula. an apology for not trying to empathize with her more while being pitted against her by ozai’s hand would be nice, but it’s not actually needed, considering that there’s nothing else in that circumstance that he could’ve done. yeah, asking katara to help “put azula in her place” is a pretty bitchy thing to say, but what was he supposed to do? be like “katara, how would you like to help me set up azula with the right mental health services to guide her on her healing journey???” lmfao please

#randomblogforasks #asks #azula #zuko #azula&zuko #hot takes #because uhhhh....... this is contentious #I know ppl have Opinions on this matter lmao #but idk. zuko didn’t rly have any feelings abt azula that arent 100% understandable #considering the fact that she was constantly antagonizing him #lmfao #like that single line in sozins comet is probably the most unwarranted thing he says #and really I think that’s just him & katara being mean bitchy besties together #they both called ty lee a circus freak too #they’re a coupla bitches! #they’re teens it’s fine #like idk #he was just doing his best #it’s zuko so like. his best isn’t always great. but he was doing HIS best #and that’s what matters #zuko: sorry for not being SOKKA #azula: YOU SHOULD. YOU SHOULD BE SORRY . #no.1 reason azula hates katara is bc she has sokka for an older brother and yet does not appreciate this enough #no.2 reason is bc katara has better hair than her and she is unspeakably jealous #no.3 reason is bc katara kicked her ass twice and that huwt her feewings!!!!!! #anyway