Trapped

Zuko does not exist inside himself.

He exists inside of Ozai, and hates what he doesn't have. He exists inside of Azula, and resents what he should be. He exists inside of Ursa, and regrets the marks he bears.

Most of all, he exists inside of a man he will never see, and he rages over what he will never accomplish.

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First and foremost, Zuko is antagonized by how untouchable Aang is. He sees the boy as another burden and curses himself for never being graceful or handsome or composed or polite or tactful, or good at anything except failing. He is spectacular at that, and Aang reminds him of this as innocently as Azula did cruelly. He tries not to let himself suffocate under the weight and number of his failures, and fails even at that when he sees flashes of yellow or orange.

He hates firebending. He hates Aang. He hates himself, because he notices the genuine kindness Aang bears with humility and knows it can never be his. Yet it has to be, and it will.

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Zuko does not think Aang and he could have ever been friends. Zuko doesn't make friends like Azula does; he can't coexist with those he controls, and he doubts he will ever stomach Aang's company.

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Zuko already knows the ending to his story, because he feels it each time Aang escapes again, again, again.

He can't bring himself to care. The important thing is to bring a piece of himself home, and that is something he is willing to die for.